2016 Wrocław attack

2016 Wrocław attack
Location	Wrocław, Poland
Date	May 19, 2016 (2016-05-19) 1:43 p.m. (CET)
Target	Civilians
Attack type	Extortion-based terrorism
Deaths	0
Injured	1
Perpetrator	Paweł R.
No. of participants	1
Convicted	Paweł R.

The 2016 Wrocław attack was an attack in Wrocław, Poland, which left one person injured. Pawel R., a 22-year-old chemistry student at Wrocław University of Science and Technology, was found to have left a homemade bomb on a bus stopping at Kościuszko Street in Wrocław. Five days later, police arrested Pawel R. on suspicion of the attempted bombing. During his trial, he claimed that his intent was not to harm anyone.

Attack

On May 19, 2016, the suspected perpetrator called the emergency services and played an audio recording with a synthesised voice, stating that four bombs have been planted across the city of Wrocław. He demanded to be given 120 kg of gold bars; he threatened that the city would be turned into "second Brussels" if they were to not comply with his demand.

Around 1:30 p.m. (CET) a fully clothed man entered a bus belonging to the line 145. After a couple of minutes, the bus stopped next to the Wrocław Główny railway station, where the perpetrator exited the bus, leaving a bag with the package inside on board, right next to a baby stroller. Quickly, the worried owner of said stroller gave the bag to the bus driver. While on the red light, the driver looked inside the bag, and saw the package containing a pot with a piece of plasticine. Unable to contact the administration, he stopped right next to the bus stop located on Ulica Tadeusza Kościuszki. The driver brought the device right outside the bus and put it on the sidewalk. Not long after, at 1:43 p.m. (CET), the bomb exploded, injuring an innocent bystander. Pieces of the bomb had hit the person on their hand and legs. It was estimated that 41 people were on the bus at the time of the attack.

The perpetrator used a home-made pressure cooker bomb, very similar to the one used in the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing. The bomb was made out an around 3-liter pressure cooker, filled with explosive substance, a home-made fuze (alarm clock, battery, wires and a broken/shattered Christmas lightbulb). The substance used was similar to gunpowder, however slightly modified, causing for it to not explode properly.

Aftermath

After the attack, Polish police dispatched more than 400 officers, and released a facial composite of the perpetrator and the footage from the bus cameras.

After an intense investigation, police found Pawel R., a 22 year old chemistry student from Wrocław University of Science and Technology, responsible for the attack. Classmates and teachers reported that he was studying his third year at the university, but wasn't seen in the months preceding the attack. On the 24th of May, 2016, Polish Anti-Terrorist Forces breached his home in Szprotawa. Despite his alleged surprise, Pawel R. complied with authorities during his arrest. During his first interrogation, he pleaded guilty, but refused to supply police with explanation or motive.

The hearing (in court) began on 20 March 2017. Pawel R. was accused of extortion, attempted mass murder, and terrorism. In November of the same year, we was sentenced to 20 years in prison. After an appeal to the court made by his parents and psychiatrist in April of 2018, the sentence was shortened by 5 years.