Marcin Wojciechowski, Gazeta.pl
The Olsztyn Police have arrested two more suspects in connection with the attack on the Morrocan, Abdela Mandili, which took place during the International Theatre Festival in Wegajty. At the moment there are five suspects in police custody.
The incident has eually attracted the attention of the Ombudsman, Janusz Kochanowski, “He asked the prosecutor in Olsztyn to forward all related documents to him, establish exactly whether the attack was racially motivated and also to investigate whether those who were responsible for security during the festival did fulfil their responsibilities,” said Stanislaw Wilenski from the Ombudman’s office.
Mandili peformed in Wegajty in the play "Race of Stamps”, a play which shows how difficult the lives of refugees is in our country. After the performance he was enjoying with friends in a party to mark the end of the festival. Then he was attacked. He was transported to the hospital unconscious. On Sunday the police arrested four suspects who live in the Jonkowo area between the ages of 18-26, who had earlier been accused of stealing and trading in stolen goods.
Piotr Pacewicz: About the attack on Abdel Mandili there are various versions. You are one of the witnesses. Only you know what happened on Saturday night.
Witness (prefers to remain anonymous):- the attack took place around 1a.m., during the party to mark the end of another day of the festival “Wioska teatralna”. Earlier in the afternoon at the theatre space of the organisers of the festival Wegajty Theatre, Migrator theatre did a performance. Migrator theatre is directed by Cameroonian poet Simon Mol. Abdel took part in the play. He’s been in Poland for 13yrs. He has a Polish wife, speaks impeccable Polish along with several other languages.
How does Abdel look like?
Not tall, dark, looks Arab. Smiles a lot; an open, warm person.
What Kind of Party was it?
At 22:00, outside the Wegajty Community Centre an improvised concert was on, with music from different parts of the world, and people dancing. The participants were mixed; guests from the festival, a lot of youths and residents of the area.
Much Alchohol?
Glasses of wine, there wasn’t much to drink.
Did any disturbing incident occur? Apparently someone shouted "Bambi" to the actors of Migrator theatre. Someone pushed one of the black actors.
I didn’t witness that but I heard about it. Someone came to join Abdel. I thought he was one of them. He came to us and invited us to go to the shop to buy vodka. He assured us that he knew the owner of the shop and he would open it for us. The shop was a few metres away, Węgajty is a small town. In the end I alone went with him. Abdel was telling me about the highschool in Milanowek where he is an English teacher. He was slightly drunk. We were conversing so warmly that we missed the shop. I said we should return and it was at that moment that two guys with caps rushed at us from the dark. They made straight for Abel and pounced on him. I heard the sound of breaking bottle and Abel fell on the ground.
Did they say anything?
He shouted ‘but why?’ and they responded ‘because you are dark, black’.
Dark or black?:
I don’t remember.
Was he attacked by two or three of them?
I am not sure whether the one who led him there joined in the attack. Perhaps he hit him.
It appears as if he wanted to specially lure Abdel from the group?
Perhaps, I don’t know. I was scared. I shouted but don’t remember what. One of them rush in my direction, waving at me to leave the scene, I started to flee backward and finally I turned around and fled. After a few metres I stopped. He retreated and I made to return to the scene and once again he came towrds me. Finally I saw my friends a distance away and I shouted for help. When I fled, Abdel was alone. He was lying by the roadside wounded, I thought he was not alive. Blood was flowing. Someone checked his pulse and called the ambulance. They arrived after half an hour. Abdel was unconscious. It was the medical team that revived him.
The party was guarded by security officers. There was information that they didn’t react to the incident?
They gave him first aid treatment and tried to stop the blood flow. They put a jacket under Abdel’s head.
How does Abdel feel now?
I visited him at the hospital. Already he walks about and smiles a lot. He remembers much more about the incident. He told me that during the party at one point he felt uneasy.
Police action was quick and effective. They have arrested more suspects. Did the police ask you to identify the suspects?
The police want to clarify the situation. I can’t reveal too much, I am under oath as a witness.
The Police do not confirm that it was a racial incident.
I have no doubt that Abel was their target. In this area there are no declared fasists, but there are those who could attack someone for being different. For example because of skin colour. This is racism.
