THESSALONIKI, Greece — A 17-year-old Polish student was arrested in Greece and appeared in court Monday in connection with the brutal killing of a 16-year-old girl in northeastern Poland, authorities said, in a case that has gripped both countries.
The teenage suspect, who had traveled to Greece as part of a school exchange program, was detained in the northern city of Thessaloniki after Polish authorities issued a European arrest warrant. During a court hearing, he refused to consent to extradition, citing fears for his family’s safety if he returned to Poland. Greek officials said he will remain in police custody until a panel of judges rules on the extradition request.
The arrest follows a weeklong search for the victim, who vanished on April 23 after telling her mother she was going to meet a friend nearby in Mlawa, a town in northeastern Poland. On May 1, police using drones and scent-tracking dogs discovered her body concealed in dense shrubbery near railroad tracks.
“We considered various scenarios — including the worst and most tragic possibility. Sadly, that’s the one that turned out to be true,” said police spokeswoman Katarzyna Kucharska. “A breakthrough came around 5 a.m. when a search-and-recovery dog led us to the location where officers discovered the body.”
Details surrounding the girl’s death have not been publicly released, but authorities confirmed she was killed with what they described as “excessive brutality.” Under Polish law, minors can face adult murder charges in such cases if the crime meets specific thresholds of violence.
Polish officials have formally initiated extradition proceedings. If approved, the suspect will face trial in Poland, where the killing has stirred widespread public outrage and renewed debate about youth violence and legal accountability for teenage offenders.
Despite his age, prosecutors say the suspect could face significant prison time if convicted.
