Knife attack on Gorlice councilor during Łemkowska Watra in Zdyni

On 16 July 2026, shortly before the opening of the 44th Łemkowska Watra cultural festival in Zdyni, a 46‑year‑old Ukrainian man, heavily intoxicated, entered the event, became involved in a disturbance and produced a knife, stabbing a 37‑year‑old councilor of Gorlice county and member of the Lemko Union.

The councilor sustained superficial wounds to his thigh, arm and back and was taken to hospital. Police detained the attacker, used a taser to subdue him, and a blood‑alcohol test showed more than 1.5 ‰. He has been charged with bodily injury, will be brought before the prosecutor and authorities are seeking a temporary detention order.