On Monday, Polish prosecutors filed a motion with the Supreme Court to lift Judge Jakub Iwaniec’s judicial immunity, allowing him to be charged with driving under influence—an offense that could carry up to three years in prison.
New Prosecution Update
Poland’s National Prosecutor’s Office reported Monday that a request was sent to the Supreme Court the same day to authorize criminal proceedings against Judge Jakub Iwaniec. The request seeks to hold the Warsaw district court judge responsible for allegedly driving while intoxicated, a crime that could result in a prison sentence of up to three years. Because Iwaniec enjoys judicial immunity, the prosecution must obtain permission from an appropriate disciplinary court before proceeding. The prosecutor also secured the judge’s phone in connection with the case.
Collision Details
According to the prosecutor, on October 11, the alleged driver attended a party where he drank alcohol. Around 9:00 p.m., he was taken by his wife to a residence in Rejówc Fabryczny, then appeared at a pizzeria with a set of car keys. Witnesses reported that he looked intoxicated. They later saw his car suddenly veer onto a sidewalk, strike a tree, and crash onto Iwaniec’s property. Police were notified immediately. The reporting woman testified that she was certain the driver was Iwaniec himself. Iwaniec denied driving, claiming a colleague had moved the car without providing details. Blood tests later found 2 promile alcohol. No evidence emerged that someone other than Iwaniec was behind the wheel.
Justice Minister Reaffirms Past Immunity Issues
Minister Waldemar Żurek reminded viewers on TVN24 that Iwaniec has previously avoided lifting immunity once. He cited the “hate campaign” case, in which the Kielce Prosecutor’s Office had filed with the Professional Responsibility Chamber. The case was handled by a “neo-judge,” and attempts to remove the judge were rejected. Żurek said the minister’s remarks highlight another instance where Iwaniec’s immunity was denied. He added that the Supreme Court’s decision remains uncertain and criticized the presence of neo-judges who, in his view, allow “incorruptibility” where independent justice is required. The minister also alluded to an earlier incident in which Iwaniec used vulgar language in the presence of a policeman and stadium guards, leading to a disciplinary ruling by the Katowice Court of Appeals.
