Two Men Charged in Nationality-Motivated Beating of 15-Year-Old Ukrainian in Łódź

A 15-year-old Ukrainian boy was allegedly attacked in Łódź simply because of his nationality, according to city police. The assault took place at Stawy Stefańskiego in late June 2026, after a verbal confrontation between two groups near the water.

Investigators say the teenager stepped away from his group and went to a tree to collect his belongings. Young men he did not know then approached him, insulted him and beat him before fleeing the area.

Witnesses immediately alerted emergency services. Police later identified two suspects through a detailed review of the evidence. Both are Polish citizens. Officers detained the first suspect, aged 17, late on Aug. 20. Police said he appeared surprised to see them and admitted taking part in the incident, while saying he would provide detailed explanations to the prosecutor.

A criminal division of the Łódź provincial police detained the second suspect, aged 24, on Aug. 28. Both men face charges of a nationality-motivated beating, classified as a hooligan offense. They could receive sentences of up to five years in prison. The older suspect may face a tougher penalty because he allegedly acted as a recidivist.

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Only because he was of a different nationality.