Poland detains suspect over threats to top ministers
SCMP · 2 SOURCESabout 5 hours ago2 MIN
Summary
Poland said on Sunday that Prime Minister Donald Tusk and Defence Minister Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz may have been targets of possible assassination attempts. The interior ministry said the warning was passed to police through the State Protection Service, while police, the State Protection Service and the internal security agency were involved in the response. Later on Sunday, Tusk said a man accused of threatening an attack against him and his defence minister had been detained. Officials said they were treating the matter as “deadly serious” amid a broader period of heightened alert after multiple stabbing attacks in the past week.
Key Points
- Donald Tusk wrote on social media on Sunday that “the man threatening an attack has been detained” and praised police for swift action
- The interior ministry said police received information about a possible assassination attempt against Tusk and Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz via the State Protection Service
- Interior spokeswoman Karolina Galecka said authorities were ordered to act over possible assassination threats to the prime minister and deputy prime minister.
- Police, the State Protection Service and the internal security agency took part in Sunday discussions on the case, according to officials.
- A spokesperson for the minister-coordinator of special services said the threat had a strong likelihood of being carried out and was being treated as deadly serious
Why It Matters
For Hong Kong readers, the case is a reminder that political security risks in Europe can escalate quickly and affect a key NATO and EU member on the continent’s eastern flank. It also shows how governments are responding more aggressively to violent threats as Poland remains on high alert after multiple stabbing attacks last week.