In a tense situation that prompted the cordoning off of parts of central Warsaw, Polish police negotiators successfully persuaded a man to descend from the Smolensk monument, bringing an end to an incident that included reports of a bomb threat. The individual, who had climbed the monument, surrendered to police at approximately 1130 GMT, as captured in footage from private broadcaster Polsat News.
Police spokesperson Sylwester Marczak informed reporters that officers initially approached the man when they observed him climbing the monument at around 0800 GMT. However, the situation escalated when the individual made a concerning statement, indicating a potential threat to people in the square. Marczak stated that police are now examining the man’s backpack using an x-ray to ensure its safety.
While initial reports suggested a bomb threat, Marczak did not confirm whether the man was threatening to blow himself up. The incident unfolded a day before Poland is set to hold a high-stakes parliamentary election.
The Smolensk monument, where the man climbed, commemorates the victims of a 2010 air disaster that claimed the lives of 96 people, including President Lech Kaczynski and his wife, Maria. Footage posted on social media showed the man standing atop the monument.
