Political Clash Follows Attack on Ukrainian Girls in Bielsko-Biała
After an 11-year-old Ukrainian girl was verbally assaulted on a public bus in Bielsko-Biała, Polish politicians have engaged in a heated exchange of blame regarding the rise of nationalist hate...
After an 11-year-old Ukrainian girl was verbally assaulted on a public bus in Bielsko-Biała, Polish politicians have engaged in a heated exchange of blame regarding the rise of nationalist hate speech.
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Assault on a City Bus
On Sunday, two 11-year-old girls from Ukraine were subjected to an aggressive, profane verbal attack by a man while traveling on a city bus in Bielsko-Biała. A recording of the incident surfaced online the following day.
On Monday, police apprehended a 54-year-old man suspected of the attack. The Centre for Monitoring Racist and Xenophobic Behaviour filed a formal report, and the case is now being handled by the regional prosecutor’s office in Żywiec.
Government Blames Nationalist Rhetoric
Minister of Interior and Administration Marcin Kierwiński stated that such aggression will face firm state action, warning that heeters will not go unpunished. He directly linked the incident to the rhetoric of figures including Jarosław Kaczyński, Grzegorz Braun, and Przemysław Czarnek, accusing them of fueling a “brown wave” of intolerance across Poland.
Other coalition politicians echoed this sentiment, with Robert Biedroń of the Left claiming that nationalist-themed violence is a direct result of policies promoted by specific opposition leaders. Arkadiusz Myrcha of the Civic Coalition added that irresponsible political language frequently translates into real-world violence.
Opposition Denies Responsibility
PiS spokesperson Rafał Bochenek rejected the allegations, accusing government officials of cynically exploiting the scandal for political gain. He argued that the current administration is responsible for the overall brutalization of public life in Poland through years of neglect regarding rising street aggression.
Konfederacja leader Krzysztof Bosak condemned the act, emphasizing that venting anger at innocent people—particularly children—is inherently wrong. He urged citizens to intervene and act when witnessing such incidents, rather than merely recording them.