By Alek Rybczynski, CFP's Poland Reporter ——Bio and Archives--November 7, 2026
Editor’s Note: A breaking on-the-ground report from Alek Rybczynski, Canada Free Press’ long-time Columnist in Poland.
On Saturday afternoon, as people of Kraków and tourists from all over the world were strolling across the Main Market Square and enjoying the atmosphere of the most beautiful city in Poland, a horrifying terrorist attack took place. A black Subaru carrying one or two attackers drove onto the square, and shots were fired at people from a rifle. According to media reports and the police, at least five people were killed and many more were wounded.
Fairly independent television stations are reporting from the scene, so details can be found there. They show people fleeing in panic, victims lying on the cobblestones, and a police officer who, after a chase, fired at a man in camouflage clothing lying on the ground. Unfortunately, moments later the officer himself was shot and fell wounded to the ground. The wounded attacker was taken to hospital. His nationality is not known. All information should be treated with caution, because Poland is caught in a vise of disinformation and propaganda.
Yesterday the Sejm passed Bill No. 3003, known as the “censorship law.” It is meant to allow the authorities—that is, administrative bodies rather than courts—to confiscate citizens’ property for alleged disinformation. It is incomprehensible that such a drastic law was passed by a majority of deputies. The only hope now is the President’s veto.
Embittered independent commentators point out that the state is able to send hundreds of police officers to the Constitutional Tribunal in order to secure the illegal takeover of Poland’s highest legal body, yet it cannot ensure the safety of its residents. It is suggested that the attackers aimed to cause as many casualties as possible, and further tragedies are to be feared.
Update: The young, heroic officer was shot three times, is in critical condition, and surgeons are fighting for his life on the operating table.
There are also fears that similar tragedies could serve as a pretext for Tusk’s government to introduce martial law, which would allow it to cancel next year’s elections and hold on to power.
Poland is in shock. Kraków’s Main Square is a symbol of the greatness of the state and the beauty of its culture and monuments—a place of identity and a source of national pride. Today that place has been desecrated. People have lost their lives, and the whole nation has been deprived, once and for all, of its sense of security.
Related:
Poland—the Big Unknown. Anything might happen
An On-The-Ground Report On The Night of Lawlessness in Poland
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