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The 2015 Knurów riots was the biggest unrest among ultras and football fans in Poland since the Słupsk street riots 1998,[citation needed] in protest at the killing of Dawid Dziedzic, a fan at lower league football match by police. Although the rioting has ceased tensions remain high and fans from around the globe have continued to publicly condemn the actions of the police.[1]
| 2015 Knurów riots | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Part of Police brutality against football fans in Poland | |||
| Date | 2 May 2015-7 May 2015 | ||
| Location | |||
| Caused by | killing of Dawid Dziedzic by police, a fan at an association football Concordia Knurów versus Ruch Radzionków match held in Knurów, Poland | ||
| Goals | Bring to justice the perpetrators of the killing, end police brutality and persecution against football fans | ||
| Methods | Protest, vandalism, chanting, rioting | ||
| Status | dormant, unresolved | ||
| Parties | |||
| Number | |||
| |||
| Casualties | |||
| Death(s) | 0 | ||
| Injuries | Multiple | ||
| Arrested | 46 | ||
| Killing of Dawid Dziedzic | |
|---|---|
| Part of Police brutality against football fans in Poland | |
| Location | Municipal Stadium, Knurów, Poland |
| Date | 2 May 2015 (GMT+1) |
| Target | Fans of Ruch Radzionków and Concordia Knurów |
| Weapons | Rubber bullet guns |
| Deaths | 1 |
| Injured | multiple |
| Victims | David Dziecic |
| Perpetrators | unnamed members of the Polish police force |
| Assailants | Polish police force |
| Motive | Combating football hooliganism |
| Inquiry | Ministry of Internal Affairs, Regional Public prosecutor's office (Gliwice) |
| Accused | unnamed policeman, Polish police force |
| Convicted | none |
| Verdict | lawful police intervention, accident |
| Convictions | none |
| Charges | none |
On 2 May 2015, at a Concordia Knurów versus Ruch Radzionków fifth division match in Knurów, police started firing rubber bullets at fans from a close distance after several home fans jumped onto the pitch and ran towards the visiting fans.[citation needed]
A 27-year-old fan of Concordia, Dawid Dziedzic, was shot, and despite attempts to resuscitate him he died shortly in hospital hours later.[2] He was a single father, described as a caring parent from a modest background.[3]
According to the police, the use of such force was justified,[4] whilst the fans said that such a minor infringement of pitch invasion should never be punished by death.[5] Under Polish law, unauthorised entering onto the pitch during a football match is punishable by up to three years in prison.[6] The police reaction has sparked anger among fans, particularly the ultras, with the appeal for support reaching an international appeal.[7] A full court investigation has launched into the incident.[8]
In Knurów around 200 fans have clashed with police outside the police headquarters, with the riots lasting several days.[9][10] 46 people were arrested, many injured fans as well as policemen.[11]
Thousands of people attended Dawid's funeral on 7 May 2015.[12][13] Fans lit flares during the ceremony, and the ceremony was conducted in a peaceful manner.[14][15] The gathering was marked by heavy police presence.[16]
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