Tramway Attack in Poznań: Prosecutors Reveal the Real Targets of the Assailants

Two Poznań residents face up to five years in prison for beating a 67-year-old man who intervened when passengers were targeted, with prosecutors clarifying the victims were Indian nationals.

Assault on a Tramway Passenger

Two residents of Poznań face up to five years in prison for beating a 67-year-old man and insulting tram passengers. Investigations established that the senior citizen reacted to the abuse directed at Indian citizens, while earlier reports that he defended a teenage Ukrainian boy were not confirmed.

Dispute Erupts on Line 16

According to police information based on the victim’s testimony, two men began harassing a young foreigner on Friday afternoon aboard a tram on line 16. The 67-year-old passenger intervened, leading to a verbal exchange that escalated into a scuffle. The older man pushed one of the attackers and was subsequently struck in the face with fists and a knee before a second assailant joined the attack.

Police Arrest and Prosecutor Charges

The victim reported the incident to a police station on Saturday, stating the aggression targeted a teenage boy from Ukrainian background. On Tuesday, Poznań police detained two men aged 38 and 41 suspected of involvement. On Wednesday, the spokesperson for the Poznań District Prosecutor’s Office, prosecutor Łukasz Wawrzyniak, announced that the suspects were charged with beating the 67-year-old—classified as an act of hooliganism—and insulting him.

Correction Regarding the Victims’ Nationality

The prosecutor added that the suspects insulted other tram passengers, specifically Indian citizens, based on their nationality, with one man also facing a charge of violating the physical integrity of an Indian citizen. The senior citizen was attacked at a tram stop after deciding to react to the abuse, sustaining light injuries and facing no danger. Prosecutors reviewed surveillance footage and confirmed there was no teenage Ukrainian boy among the insulted individuals, concluding that the initial report stemmed from the victim’s testimony.

Suspects’ Background and Legal Measures

During Wednesday’s interrogation, the suspects described the course of the event, and one expressed remorse and apologized for his behavior. Police established that the men had multiple prior criminal records, with the 38-year-old also previously booked for drug offenses. The suspects were placed under police supervision, banned from approaching or contacting the injured party, and ordered to post bail of 1,000 PLN each, facing up to five years in prison.