Zbigniew Bogucki, head of the Presidential Chancellery, underwent an eight-hour interrogation by the National Prosecutor’s Office on Friday regarding the controversial swearing-in process of Constitutional Tribunal judges.
An Eight-Hour Interrogation
The prosecutor’s office confirmed that the questioning of Zbigniew Bogucki lasted nearly eight hours, interspersed with four breaks. The procedure was recorded at the request of the official, who reportedly did not challenge the status of the prosecutor or the legal standing of the institution.
Due to the confidentiality of the proceedings, authorities have declined to disclose the specific content of the testimony provided by the head of the Chancellery of the President of the Republic of Poland (KPRP).
A Waste of Paperwork
Following his release, Bogucki labeled the session a “wonderfully wasted day,” characterizing the questions as repetitive inquiries into matters easily verified via the internet. He described the process as a futile exercise, referring to the resulting documentation as mere “wastepaper.”
Bogucki argued that the prolonged interrogations of himself and his staff are an attempt to paralyze the daily operations of the Presidential Chancellery. He emphasized that regardless of the current administration’s longevity, he considers these actions a waste of time.
Legal Pressure and Constitutional Dispute
The investigation, initiated in April by Minister of Justice Waldemar Żurek, targets employees of the Presidential Chancellery involved in the advisory process regarding the swearing-in of four Constitutional Tribunal judges. Bogucki maintained his innocence, labeling the pressure as intimidation.
The underlying conflict stems from the March selection of six judges by the Sejm. While two judges were sworn in at the Presidential Palace, the status of the remaining four became a point of contention, leading to a ceremony in the Sejm that the President of the Constitutional Tribunal, Bogdan Święczkowski, refused to recognize as a valid swearing-in before the President.