Poland detains university student over alleged plan to bomb Christmas market

Poland’s Internal Security Agency (ABW) has detained a student suspected of planning a mass attack at a Christmas market using explosive materials, according to a government spokesperson.

Jacek Dobrzyński, press spokesperson for the minister coordinator of special services, said the suspect, identified as Mateusz W., is a student at the Catholic University of Lublin. He is accused of preparing a large-scale attack intended to intimidate the public and support the Islamic State group, Caliber.Az reports. 

Funkcjonariusze Agencji Bezpieczeństwa Wewnętrznego zatrzymali studenta Katolickiego Uniwersytetu Lubelskiego Mateusza W. podejrzewanego o przygotowywanie masowego zamachu na jednym z jarmarków świątecznych, którego planował dokonać z wykorzystaniem materiałów wybuchowych.…

— Jacek Dobrzyński (@JacekDobrzynski) December 16, 2025

According to the Dobrzyński, the suspect had been allegedly gathering information on how to independently manufacture explosive materials and was planning to join a terrorist organisation in order to obtain assistance in carrying out the planned attack.

During the operation, ABW officers seized data storage devices and items linked to Islam.

A court has ordered that the suspect be held in pre-trial detention for three months. The investigation is being led by the Szczecin branch of the Internal Security Agency under the supervision of the local prosecutor’s office in Szczecin.

Officials said the case remains ongoing and further developments are expected.

By Sabina Mammadli