Kraków police seek public help after fatal beating of 36-year-old Hutnik fan

Fatal assault on Hutnik supporter in Nowa Huta

Police in Kraków have initiated an intensive investigation following the fatal beating of 36-year-old Jakub B., known by the nickname "Jankes", at Osiedle Willowe in the city's Nowa Huta district. The victim, a known supporter of local football team Hutnik Kraków, was ambushed and attacked overnight on 21 August. According to reporting from Gazeta Krakowska, the assault was perpetrated by members of "Młoda Ferejna", a hooligan group affiliated with Wisła Kraków. The assailants beat the victim continuously for several minutes before fleeing the scene. A passing pedestrian discovered the severely injured man lying on the ground and alerted emergency medical services. Paramedics arrived at the location to provide urgent care, but the 36-year-old died inside the ambulance before reaching the hospital. Security cameras positioned in the surrounding residential area captured the entire attack on video.

Police interrogations and release of detainees

Following the fatal incident, Kraków police officers conducted operations across the city and detained nine individuals on Sunday, 23 August. Investigators from the Department for Combating Crimes Against Life and Health brought the suspects in for questioning regarding their potential involvement in the attack. Officers questioned all nine individuals as witnesses under Article 183 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, which informs witnesses of their right to refuse answers that might incriminate them. Following the interviews, law enforcement authorities released all nine detainees because the gathered evidence was insufficient to formally press criminal charges against them. Iwona Szelichiewicz of the Małopolska regional police press team confirmed the status of the case to the Polish Press Agency on Sunday afternoon.

Currently the evidence is not strong enough to press charges.

Prosecutor Mariusz Boroń from the District Prosecutor's Office in Kraków stated at a press conference that secured surveillance footage clearly recorded the group assault on the victim.

Public appeal and publication of suspect images

On Sunday evening, the Kraków Municipal Police Headquarters published surveillance photographs of a man suspected of taking part in the fatal assault at Osiedle Willowe. The police issued a public appeal for assistance in identifying the individual shown in the released materials. Investigators guaranteed complete anonymity for any members of the public who come forward with relevant information. Reports and tips can be submitted directly to the duty officer at the Kraków Municipal Police Headquarters by dialing 47 83 52 908, or by contacting any police station across Poland. Detectives are continuing to analyze the surveillance recordings to identify every member of the group involved in the incident.

Football community reaction and financial pledge

The killing prompted statements from figures within Polish football, including former German international and Górnik Zabrze co-owner Lukas Podolski. In a public message published on social media platform X on Sunday, Podolski expressed shock over the events in Kraków and addressed the wider fan culture.

Although money will not replace the pain and loss, I have decided that we will show support to the family of the killed supporter by giving them all the proceeds from the away section from the match against Wisła Kraków.

Podolski noted that while he has consistently supported dedicated football fans, the club and its leadership distance themselves entirely from cowardly and unscrupulous behaviour. Writing on behalf of Górnik Zabrze, Podolski formally extended condolences to the family and relatives of Jakub B. as the police investigation into the homicide continues.