On Monday, Polish politician Grzegorz Braun filed a request with the Warsaw‑Praga South District Court to disqualify Judge Marcin Brzostko, citing European case law.
Disqualification Request Filed
At 9 a.m. on Monday, Braun began proceedings before the Warsaw‑Praga South District Court, filing a request to remove Judge Marcin Brzostko from the case. He argued that a judge aligned with Latin civilization standards, rather than revolutionary ideals, should preside, stating the removal would benefit the present and eternal state of Poland. He made the remarks on the radio, framing the request as both practical and ideological.
European Case Law Claim and Judicial Response
Braun referred to the judge as a “neosędzia” (neojudge) and cited European case law to justify the disqualification. Prosecutor Artur Wańdoch called the request absurd, and defense lawyer Krzysztof Stępiński echoed the criticism. RMF FM reported that the judge’s defense was that Braun suddenly invoked European jurisprudence. A pause was later imposed following the submission of Braun’s application.
Supporters Rally at Court
Groups of Braun’s supporters arrived at the court, asserting that they came because they understood the situation, opposing the judge but standing in opposition to the court. The head of the Polish Crown Confederacy addressed the gathered people. Among the attendees were Wojciech O. and Marcin O., known online as “Jaszczur” and “Ludwiczek,” members of the radical movement Rodacy Kamraci. Earlier this year the Warsaw‑Praga district prosecutor filed a complaint against them, charging them with 154 counts including the public praise of crimes, threats, and hate speech. They had been detained but were released in November after the court lifted the arrest.
Accusation File Against Braun
In July the prosecutor filed an accusation file against Braun covering seventeen acts. The first act refers to an incident on 1 March 2022 at the National Institute of Cardiology, where Braun allegedly violated the bodily integrity of Director Łukasz Szumowski by grabbing him by the arm and blocking his movement. The second act records Braun’s attempt to convince Szumowski that he was intoxicated. Additional allegations relate to a 2023 incident in the Parliament where Braun extinguished Chanukah candles and allegedly struck a participant, causing a minor injury. He is also accused of blocking a Holocaust lecture at the German Historical Institute, removing a Christmas tree from a court, and throwing it into a bin.
