The European Parliament will decide Tuesday on lifting immunity for Daniel Obajtek, Patryk Jaki, Grzegorz Braun, and Tomasz Buczek, potentially opening them to criminal proceedings.
Immunity Votes Scheduled for Four Polish MEPs
The European Parliament will vote on whether to waive the immunity of Daniel Obajtek, Patryk Jaki, Grzegorz Braun, and Tomasz Buczek. A separate request to lift the immunity of Mariusz Kamiński has also been submitted to the Parliament.
European Parliament President Roberta Metsola announced the planned vote during the opening of a four-day session in Strasbourg. The votes concern MEPs representing both Law and Justice (PiS) and Confederation parties.
Case Against Patryk Jaki
The case against Patryk Jaki stems from a private criminal complaint filed by Judge Igor Tuleya. While the dispute is personal in nature, lifting his immunity is required to allow for a criminal investigation.
Daniel Obajtek and the “NIE” Weekly
The case involving Daniel Obajtek relates to his time as CEO of the Orlen Group. The complaint concerns a decision to block the distribution of the “NIE” weekly at Orlen gas stations, allegedly due to a controversial cover featuring Pope John Paul II, potentially violating freedom of the press and economic activity.
Grzegorz Braun Faces Fourth Immunity Request
Grzegorz Braun is again facing scrutiny, with this being the fourth request to waive his immunity during this term. The current case concerns events from July 10, 2025, in Jedwabne, where he allegedly blocked access to a road during commemorations of the 84th anniversary of the massacre of the Jewish population.
The incident garnered attention in Poland and abroad due to Jedwabne’s significance in the context of World War II and Polish-Jewish relations. The proceedings will determine if Braun’s actions constituted a criminal offense.
Allegations Against Tomasz Buczek
The request concerning Tomasz Buczek involves alleged bodily harm to a participant in a demonstration. Similar to the other cases, a waiver of immunity is necessary for a court to investigate the matter.
EU Parliament Procedure
Waiving immunity is a formal process, but crucial—without a decision from the European Parliament, law enforcement cannot proceed with legal actions against an MEP.
Mariusz Kamiński Immunity Request Submitted
A separate request to lift the immunity of Mariusz Kamiński has been submitted by Prosecutor General Waldemar Żurek and referred to the European Parliament’s Legal Affairs Committee.
The request relates to Kamiński’s actions between 2007 and 2009 while heading the Central Anti-Corruption Bureau, specifically concerning allegations that he pursued a predetermined conclusion regarding the acquisition of a property in Kazimierz Dolny by Jolanta and Aleksander Kwaśniewski through an intermediary.
European Parliament Immunity Procedure
Each immunity waiver request first goes to the European Parliament’s Legal Affairs Committee (JURI) for analysis and a recommendation to the full chamber. The process typically takes several months.
The final decision is made by a simple majority vote during a plenary session. Importantly, waiving immunity does not equate to a finding of guilt, but merely allows for an investigation by national authorities.
An MEP’s mandate remains in effect until a final, legally binding conviction. In the event of a conviction, the decision on its expiration rests with the competent institutions of the member state.