The head of Poland’s Constitutional Tribunal has reported a judge to prosecutors for defying a court ruling on Zbigniew Ziobro’s detention.
Constitutional Tribunal’s Stance
The president of the Constitutional Tribunal has filed a notification with the prosecutor’s office regarding Judge Magdalena Wójcik of the Warsaw District Court, who issued an order for the forced detention of former Justice Minister Zbigniew Ziobro. The tribunal emphasized that its rulings are final and binding for all state bodies, including ordinary courts, and that public authorities must respect them.
The notification also highlights an attempt to deprive Ziobro of his liberty by police officers allegedly under the judge’s influence. The tribunal stated that this action undermines its constitutional and legal status and harms the public interest and Ziobro’s constitutional rights.
The tribunal’s ruling suspended all actions against Ziobro until the court’s verdict is enforced, which declares the Sejm’s resolution establishing the Pegasus Commission unconstitutional. The tribunal stressed that it and its judges will not yield to pressure or demands from the executive branch.
Court’s Decision on Ziobro’s Detention
The case stems from a Warsaw court’s decision on September 16 to detain and forcibly bring Ziobro before a parliamentary investigative commission on September 29. Judge Anna Ptaszek argued that the Constitutional Tribunal lacks authority to interfere with ordinary court decisions and “does not act as a supreme court.”
The court ruled that the tribunal’s decision has no legal effect and does not bind courts, contrary to Ziobro’s claims.
