Kraków attack kills six, PiS leader urges cancelling 8-9 November protests

The attack on Rynek Główny

A masked 24-year-old drove a car into the crowd on Rynek Główny, Kraków's Main Square, on the evening of 7 November, and then opened fire on the people gathered there. Six people were killed and 16 were injured, a total that includes the attacker. Two police officers were among the wounded, and one of them is fighting for his life in hospital. After an exchange of fire with police, the attacker was wounded and detained.

A second scene and national mourning

The bodies of three people were found at the attacker's home in Ostrowiec Świętokrzyski: two women and a man, identified in the reports as his 21-year-old sister and his parents. President Karol Nawrocki signed an ordinance on the evening of 7 November declaring national mourning for 8 and 9 November. The mourning covers the two days when demonstrations against government actions concerning the Constitutional Tribunal had been planned.

Killed in Kraków attack6

Injured in Kraków attack (including attacker)16

Found dead in Ostrowiec Świętokrzyski3

Killed in Kraków attack

6 people

Injured in Kraków attack (including attacker)

16 people

Found dead in Ostrowiec Świętokrzyski

3 people

Data from the article text

Appeals to cancel the protests

PiS chairman Jarosław Kaczyński asked for the cancellation of demonstrations planned for 8 and 9 November, which the party describes as a response to illegal actions by the 13 December coalition, including the seizure of the Constitutional Tribunal. Party spokesman Rafał Bochenek posted the appeal on X late on the Saturday, adding that the request was a way to show respect for the victims.

“Mr Prime Minister J. Kaczyński asks that in this way respect be shown to the innocent victims of the brutal attack in Krakow.”

Tomasz Sakiewicz, editor-in-chief of Gazeta Polska and head of Republika TV, made a similar request to patriotic groups and Gazeta Polska clubs. He had been in Kraków that afternoon and reached the square about a dozen minutes after the attacker struck.

“In view of the national mourning declared by the President, I appeal for the postponement of demonstrations in defence of the Constitutional Tribunal, which were planned for Sunday and Monday.”

What the protests were about

The demonstrations were organised mainly by Gazeta Polska clubs, in defence of the constitutional order and in support of President Nawrocki. Sunday events were planned at Town Hall Square in Jelenia Góra and in front of the Polish embassy in London. On Monday, demonstrators were due to gather at the market square in Tarnów and in front of the Świętokrzyski Voivodeship Office in Kielce.

The protests trace back to late October in Warsaw, when the Constitutional Tribunal building on Aleja Szucha was closed off with a chain behind police cordons. A protest camp formed in front of the building, and police prevented Tribunal president Bogdan Święczkowski from entering.

Security in Warsaw

Karolina Gałecka, spokeswoman for the Ministry of Interior and Administration, said no decision had been taken on cancelling the Independence Day ceremonies, including the Independence March in Warsaw. She said additional security measures would be introduced in the capital, including more police officers and barriers on Trakt Królewski.