Suspects in beating of Ukrainian couple in Poland face up to five years in prison

Those detained on suspicion of the beating of Ukrainian citizens in Wrocław, Poland, face up to five years in prison.

Jakub Dłubacz, spokesman for Wrocław District Prosecutor's Office, said to Ukrinform that those detained on suspicion of beating the Ukrainians are due to be questioned at the Wrocław-Psie Pole district prosecutor's office on 28 July.

"They will be charged there, and the prosecutor will decide on further action in the case… They face up to five years in prison," Dłubacz said.

Dłubacz said the detainees are being charged under Articles 158 (beating) and 119 (violence motivated by national intolerance) of the Polish Criminal Code. Both offenses carry a maximum sentence of five years in prison.

The spokesman added that a third participant in the attack has not yet been detained.

The incident took place on 26 July in Wrocław. A group of Polish men attacked a young Ukrainian couple, reportedly after hearing their accent.

According to media reports, one of those involved in the beating has a criminal record, while another practises martial arts.

Following the brutal attack on the Ukrainian couple, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said the recent rise in violence in Poland is linked to the fact that radical groups feel they have political backing. He also addressed Polish President Karol Nawrocki.