Two Men Charged After Cake Attack on Poznań Mayor

Following a cake-throwing incident at a Poznań City Council session on Tuesday, June 17, police have charged two men with insulting and violating the physical integrity of a public official.

Police Charges and Investigation

Andrzej Borowiak, spokesperson for the Greater Poland Police, announced on Wednesday that two men, aged 22 and 40, have been charged with assaulting and insulting a public official. The older suspect has a prior record for assault and physical battery against a police officer.

Police have classified the act as hooliganism. A separate proceeding is also underway regarding a public disturbance and breach of the peace.

The Incident at City Hall

The attack occurred during a City Council meeting dedicated to the mayor’s absolutorium. After Mayor Jacek Jaśkowiak presented his report on the state of the city, a man approached him and struck him with a cake, shouting that it was a “vote of no confidence” from the citizens of Poznań.

The perpetrator was subdued by municipal guards. During the session, other protesters accused Jaśkowiak of victimizing the poor through public transit fare hikes and raised concerns regarding the sale of the Maltańskie estate by the local curia.

Anarchist Group Statement

Members of the Poznań section of the Anarchist Federation issued a statement claiming the act was a response to the mayor’s perceived brutality toward disadvantaged residents. They stated they had attempted to engage the city with reports and legal arguments for years but were ignored or mocked.

The activists described the cake-throwing as a method to reach the public consciousness when the authorities close their doors, emphasizing that their intent was to critique power through humor rather than to cause physical harm.

Political Outcome

Mayor Jacek Jaśkowiak described the event as crossing a line. Despite the incident, the City Council subsequently granted him a vote of confidence with 26 votes in favor and six against. He also received an absolutorium for the execution of the previous year’s budget.

Jaśkowiak has governed Poznań since 2014. In the most recent election, he secured re-election in the second round with over 70 percent of the vote, defeating United Right candidate Zbigniew Czerwiński.