After seven months of procedural struggle, Bartosz G., 17-year-old violent suspect Murder Mai Kowalski from Mława, was finally brought to Poland. Extradition from Greece was successful for Polish law enforcement authorities, and a young man went straight to jail, where he would spend Christmas under close observation. It's a breakthrough in a loud case that has shaken public opinion all over the country.
Tragic Events in Mława
The tragedy occurred in early May 2025 in Mława, a small town in Mazowsze. 16-year-old Maja Kowalska, a student at a local school, disappeared after meeting a colleague. Her body was found in bushes, just a few hundred meters from the house of Bartosz G. The autopsy showed that the girl died of massive head injuries, caused with a lot of brutality. Investigators have no doubt that the perpetrator is just a 17-year-old who knew the victim from school.
Mai's father, Mr. Jarosław, in talks with the media revealed some shocking details. "Perhaps the daughter was trying to escape the torturer with her last strength," he said, describing how a girl could fight for her life. Witness reports indicate that Maja and Bartosz had met before, but the motive for the crime remains unclear. Public Prosecutor’s Office examines whether there has been a personal conflict or whether Murder was emotional.
Escape to Greece and an extradition battle
Just after the event Bartosz G. he fled to Greece under cover of a school trip where he was detained by an international arrest warrant. The extradition procedure began in May and lasted as long as seven months. The Thessaloniki court initially agreed to issue a suspect Poland, but the defenders appealed, arguing that he was in danger in the country. Bartosz G. himself claimed he did not want to return, fearing lynching or unfair trial.
The final decision of the Greek court was in early December – in seven days Bartosz was to go to Poland. Extradition took place on December 20 and the suspect was transported under police escort. According to sources, the operation ran without incident, and a 17-year-old immediately went into custody.
What's next on the case?
Bartosz G. will soon be brought to the District Attorney's Office in Płock, where he will hear formal murder charges. Investigators plan further interrogation and investigation of evidence, including DNA analysis and witness certificates. Due to the young age of the suspect, the trial may be pending before a juvenile court, though D.A. does not exclude an application for treatment as an adult.
The case also has an additional dimension – the mother of Bartosz G., Catherine G., is accused of spreading hate towards the Maya family. The civil process in this case started recently, and the father victims Complains of thousands of offensive social media entries. "There was no day of peace," said Jarosław, highlighting how the hate deepens the family drama.
