Journalist Tomasz Duklanowski, sentenced for defamation following his reports on alleged bribery involving former Senate Speaker Tomasz Grodzki, has formally petitioned President Karol Nawrocki for a pardon, citing political repression.
The Legal Conviction
In February, the District Court in Warsaw upheld a previous verdict from July 2025. Duklanowski was ordered to pay a 12,000 PLN fine and 8,000 PLN in damages to the West Pomeranian Children’s and Adults’ Hospice Foundation.
The case stemmed from articles in “Gazeta Polska,” where the journalist accused Tomasz Grodzki of accepting bribes from patients during his tenure as a hospital head in Szczecin. Grodzki denied the claims and filed a private indictment for defamation under Article 212 of the Penal Code.
A Path of Last Resort
Duklanowski’s attorney, Bartosz Lewandowski, stated on X that a presidential pardon is the only remaining legal avenue, as private prosecution cases cannot be appealed to the Supreme Court. Lewandowski argued the verdict violates freedom of speech and press.
The defense also highlighted judicial inconsistency, noting that a similar case against Tomasz Sakiewicz, based on identical evidence, resulted in an acquittal.
Allegations of Political Repression
Duklanowski maintains that his conviction is a form of political repression. He stated that his reports were based on testimonies from dozens of individuals who claimed Grodzki accepted bribes for medical procedures.
The journalist noted that these same witnesses testified before the CBA and the Regional Prosecutor’s Office. Although an investigation supported his findings and led to a request to waive Grodzki’s immunity, the motion was ultimately rejected by the Senate.
