A man was detained on July 28, 2026, in the city of Medjugorje, Bosnia, after a renowned statue of the Virgin Mary, a site of significant global Catholic pilgrimage, was vandalized. The sacred sculpture was defaced with the phrase “Devil in a Skirt” painted in black on its pedestal.
The suspect is being investigated for his possible connection to the act of vandalism and an arson that occurred during the night of July 26, 2026, at the sanctuary. Medjugorje is considered one of the most celebrated Catholic pilgrimage destinations in the world, attracting millions of faithful annually, which makes the attack even more sensitive.
Authorities responsible for the investigation have not revealed the identity of the arrested man, while work continues to determine the real motivation behind the attack. However, believers following the case reported on social media that the individual was Bartłomiej Włodzimierz Krakowiak, a Polish citizen residing in Warsaw.
The police were called in the early hours of July 27, 2026, around 4:30 am, after finding the face and hands of the statue, located on the Mount of Apparitions also known as Podbrdo, stained with black paint. The pedestal at the base of the image was spray-painted with the English phrase “Devil in a skirt”, as well as other inscriptions and the painting of the figure’s hands.
A nearby outdoor altar, located next to the Church of Saint James, was also the target of a fire, according to reports from authorities.
Teams of restorers are already working to recover the statue and reverse the damage caused by vandalism, an effort that aims to restore the integrity of the religious symbol.
