Poles unite in grief over assassination of mayor
The mayor of Poland’s port city of Gdansk died Monday after being stabbed at a charity event by an ex-convict with a history of violent crime. The killing plunged the politically divided country into shock and grief and brought Poles into the streets for solemn vigils in a rare show of national unity.
Pawel Adamowicz, 53, died from the wounds inflicted by a 27-year-old man who stormed on stage Sunday evening while the mayor was addressing an audience during the “Lights to Heaven,” the finale of a nationwide fundraiser for sick children.
Adamowicz had just expressed gratitude to the “generous” crowd, adding: “This is a wonderful time of sharing good things. You are dear. Gdansk is the most wonderful city in the world. Thank you!”
That’s when the assailant rushed up and stabbed him three times, then grabbed a microphone to tell the audience that he acted in revenge against the country’s main opposition party, Civic Platform, which Adamowicz left it in 2015.
With the music still playing and pyrotechnics erupting onstage, the attacker told the stunned crowd he had been wrongly imprisoned under a Civic Platformled government.
“I was jailed but innocent. … Civic Platform tortured me. That’s why Adamowicz just died,” he said.
Adamowicz was taken to a hospital, but a five-hour operation and blood transfusions failed to save him. Many people in Gdansk had donated blood for Adamowicz, with some saying they were given time off work.
The right-wing ruling Law and Justice party faced accusations that a hostile atmosphere against Adamowicz and other liberals has created fertile ground for violence.
Government officials pushed back against that accusation, strongly denouncing the attack and stressing the assailant had a history of violent bank robberies.
Identified by authorities only as Stefan W., he was arrested and charged Monday with murder.
Deputy Chief Prosecutor Krzysztof Sierak said there were questions about the mental state of the attacker, who used a 5.5-inch knife. He had served 5 years in prison and was released toward the end of last year.
Adamowicz is survived by his wife and two daughters.