A Warsaw court authorized the forced appearance of former Justice Minister Zbigniew Ziobro before a parliamentary commission, sparking a legal clash with Tribunal President Bogdan Święczkowski.
Decision on Ziobro
A Warsaw court, led by Judge Magdalena Wójcik, approved Ziobro’s compulsory appearance after months of evasion. The ruling followed Święczkowski’s claim that the court’s decision was unlawful, as the Constitutional Tribunal deemed the commission illegal. He also notified prosecutors, accusing Wójcik of “intentional overstepping authority.” Police ultimately detained Ziobro at Chopin Airport on September 29, 2025, and brought him to the Sejm.
Court’s sharp stance
The Warsaw court’s president, Beata Najjar, condemned Święczkowski’s actions, suggesting he overstepped his authority and pressured an independent judicial body. Najjar filed a criminal complaint against Święczkowski, arguing Wójcik acted within her powers and that the ruling could only be challenged through appeals. The court had previously signaled its intentions.
Possible consequences
The court’s notification alleges three criminal acts: abuse of power, insulting a constitutional body, and false accusation. If prosecutors find grounds, Święczkowski could face trial. This escalates a long-standing dispute over the Tribunal’s legitimacy, challenged by legal experts and the ruling coalition. It also deepens the drama surrounding Ziobro, a key figure in the United Right’s governments (2015–2023).
Dispute over rulings
The government refuses to publish Constitutional Tribunal rulings, a key point in the ongoing conflict. The Tribunal ruled the Pegasus commission unconstitutional, while the government argues publication isn’t required for rulings to take effect. The Tribunal maintains its decisions are binding immediately upon announcement. The government’s refusal stems from opposition to the Tribunal’s composition and a 2024 Sejm resolution addressing the 2015–2023 constitutional crisis.
