Adamowicz, a prominent local politician who had held the city’s highest office since 1998, was gravely wounded during the final concert of the annual Great Orchestra of Christmas Charity (WOŚP) in 2019.
During his speech, around 8 pm, 26-year-old Stefan Wilmont rushed the stage at Targ Węglowy and stabbed him multiple times.
The mayor was rushed to hospital in critical condition and underwent hours of surgery. He died the following day, 14 January, aged 53.
After a three-year investigation, complicated by conflicting expert assessments of Wilmont’s mental state, the Gdańsk District Court sentenced him to life imprisonment on 16 March 2023.
The Gdańsk Court of Appeal upheld the sentence on 23 January 2024. Wilmont will be eligible to apply for parole after serving 40 years.
Paweł Adamowicz was one of Poland’s longest-serving city leaders. For many years, he was affiliated with the centrist, pro-European Civic Platform, but ran under his own banner in the 2018 elections, winning nearly 65 percent of the vote in the second round.
During his tenure, Gdańsk saw significant development: a new stadium was built, the airport expanded, and city infrastructure modernised. Adamowicz spearheaded the creation of the European Solidarity Centre and lobbied for the city to host matches during the 2012 European Football Championship (EURO 2012).
A native of Gdańsk, Adamowicz became involved in opposition activities as a high school student, distributing underground publications.
In 1987, during Pope John Paul II’s visit to the city, he served in the diocesan security team, and the following year he helped organise a student strike at the University of Gdańsk, becoming chairman of the Student Strike Committee. He trained as a lawyer and began his career in local government in 1990.
Married since 1999, Adamowicz is survived by two daughters. His final public appearance reflected his deep affection for Gdańsk and its residents, as he spoke of his gratitude for the city and the community he had served for decades.
(mp)
Source: IAR/X/@AdamowiczPawel