Finance
Poland charges teen with preparing attack on a school
Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on February 11, 2026
2 min readLast updated: February 11, 2026
Quick Summary
Poland has charged an 18-year-old for planning a school attack linked to ISIS, amid rising sabotage attempts since 2022.
Poland Charges 18-Year-Old for Planning School Attack Linked to ISIS
Overview of the Charges Against the Teen
WARSAW, Feb 11 (Reuters) - Poland has charged an 18-year-old man with preparing an attack on a school and being motivated by his support for Islamic State, special services spokesperson Jacek Dobrzynski said on Wednesday.
Details of the Investigation
Poland has not suffered any attacks related to Islamic State but Polish authorities are on the alert following a rise in sabotage attempts, including on the railway, since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
Legal Consequences and Previous Cases
"The Prosecutor's Office charges the man with publicly inciting violence and hatred on the grounds of national and religious differences via the internet, as well as preparations for an attack at the turn of 2024/2025," Dobrzynski wrote on X.
He said an investigation found the man had been "collecting information on weapons, explosives, incendiary and toxic substances, bomb designs, methods of operation and equipping, as well as methods of creating, placing and detonating explosive charges, and techniques for carrying out attacks."
Dobrzynski said the man's notes showed he had been planning an attack on a school in the southeastern Podkarpackie region.
If the man is found guilty, he faces up to 18 years in prison, Dobrzynski said.
He did not say how the accused had responded to the charges.
In December, Poland detained a 19-year-old student suspected of trying to establish contacts with Islamic State and charged with preparing an attack at a Christmas market that could have caused mass casualties.
After emerging in Iraq and Syria, Islamic State quickly created a "caliphate" and at the height of its power from 2014-2017 it held swathes of the two countries, ruling over millions of people.
Last June, Poland charged three 19-year-old men suspected of gathering pyrotechnic materials and planning terrorist actions. Local media said they had been planning an attack on a school in the northern city of Olsztyn.
(Reporting by Anna Wlodarczak-Semczuk; Editing by Timothy Heritage)
Key Takeaways
- •Poland charges an 18-year-old for planning a school attack.
- •The attack was motivated by support for ISIS.
- •Authorities are vigilant due to rising sabotage attempts.
- •The accused faces up to 18 years in prison if found guilty.
- •Previous similar cases in Poland have been reported.
Frequently Asked Questions about Poland charges teen with preparing attack on a school
1What is Islamic State?
Islamic State is a militant group that emerged in Iraq and Syria, known for its extreme interpretation of Islam and acts of terrorism.
