Government spokesman Adam Szłapka and lawyer Bartosz Lewandowski exchanged threats over a Russian embassy list mentioning Lewandowski’s firm.
Szłapka Highlights Law Firm Representing Ziobry
On Friday evening, government spokesman Adam Szłapka published a social media post addressing the law firm representing Zbigniew Ziobry. He stated, “The list of law firms designated for Russian citizens in Poland was compiled by Moscow after the barbaric attack on Ukraine. ‘KHANZADYAN LEWANDOWSKI & PARTNERS’ appears on it.”
“Everyone will draw their own conclusions,” Szłapka added at the end of his post.
You’ll End Up in Court
In response, lawyer Bartosz Lewandowski, who represents Ziobry among others, threatened, “For this post, you’ll end up in court.” He explained, “The embassy, without our request or knowledge, posted information about law firms whose lawyers provide legal services in Russian language (the vast majority of clients who come to us are from Ukraine).”
“It is standard practice for embassies to inform citizens about available legal assistance,” the attorney emphasized.
Ziobry’s Lawyer: You’ll Be Able to Prove Your Lies in Court
“Today we learned about this and we applied to have our firm removed from the list. While you and your colleagues were ‘clowning’ at the border, disrupting the work of Polish services during the hybrid war, I took a five-person Ukrainian family into my home,” wrote Lewandowski.
“My activities in 2023 were recognized with a medal by the Association of Ukrainian Lawyers. So accusing us of pro-Russian stance can only be a government spokesman known for lies, manipulations and slander. But you will be able to prove your lies in court, so please receive your mail,” he added.
Court Rejects Motion to Exclude Judge in Ziobry’s Arrest Case
Meanwhile, the District Court for Warsaw-Mokotów did not accept the motion to exclude Judge Agnieszka Prokopowicz, who is considering the case of a possible temporary arrest for Zbigniew Ziobry. According to court authorities, the date for continuation of the arrest hearing remains unchanged and has been set for February 5.
Ziobry’s defense lawyer, Bartosz Lewandowski, told Polish Radio that both Judge Agnieszka Prokopowicz and Judge Łukasz Malinowski, who considered the motion for her exclusion, belong to the Polish Judges Association Iustitia. He argued this does not guarantee impartial adjudication, as the judge ruling on the motion was “in fact assessing his own situation.”
Sikorski: Was Supposed to Be a Sheriff, But Is a Fugitive
Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski also commented on the matter, criticizing Zbigniew Ziobry’s actions. He assessed that the politician avoids responsibility and hides from the justice system.
“Was supposed to be a sheriff, but is a fugitive,” stated Sikorski. He added that the former minister does not appear to summonses from the prosecutor’s office and courts, which he himself had previously reformed. Minister Sikorski also noted that no official, written confirmation of granting Ziobra political asylum in Hungary has been submitted to Polish authorities, and such a grant would be an unfriendly act towards Poland.
Zbigniew Ziobro stated that he received asylum in Hungary on December 22. The Law and Justice politician is suspected of committing 26 offenses, including leading an organized criminal group and improper expenditure of funds from the Justice Fund.
