19:33 16.07.2013

Warsaw says Komorowski attacked in Ukraine due to lack of preventive security measures

2 min read

The Interior Ministry of Poland has stated that not all security measures were taken in Ukraine to protect high officials during the visit by Polish President Bronislaw Komorowski to Lutsk on July 14.

"The Interior Ministry has received detailed explanations of the incident in Lutsk. According to preliminary findings, necessary security measures for the protection of high officials were not taken in full," reads a posting on the Web site of the Polish ministry.

According to the statement, the Government Protection Bureau has started its investigation into the incident.

"Analysis of the incident also shows that it was due to the lack of preventive security measures taken by the relevant services of Ukraine, which hosted the visit," reads the ministry's statement.

The Polish ministry also added it together with the Government Protection Bureau did not want to exaggerate the incident and intended to draw conclusions from it for the future.

As reported, a young man smashed an egg on Komorowski's shoulder during a religious service at the Peter and Paul Cathedral in Lutsk, where the Polish president attended ceremonies marking the 70th anniversary of the Volyn massacre on July 14. The man was detained immediately after the incident and was identified as a 21-year-old resident of Ukraine's Zaporizhia region.

A criminal investigation was opened into the incident on charges of hooliganism. The suspect could face a large fine or up to three years in prison if found guilty.

Tests did not detect any alcohol in his blood.

According to the Polish media, the young man was carrying a backpack with a slogan saying Svoboda (freedom).

However, the local branch of the Svoboda opposition party has denied being involved in the incident.

The Polish president, for his part, has refused to comment on the events.

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