Jarosław Kaczyński warned that Zbigniew Ziobro may die if arrested in Poland and that the country is drifting toward totalitarianism, according to statements made to the press.
Death Likely If Arrested
Kaczyński claimed that Ziobro, a severely ill former justice minister, faces a “very likely” death if he is detained. He said that the people surrounding the man are prepared to bring him to death and that such a fate is inevitable under the current moral climate in Poland.
Uncertain Asylum Status, Yet Moral Decline Evident
The party leader said he is unsure whether Ziobro will obtain asylum in Hungary but believes that any democratic country with honest courts should grant him protection. He emphasized that the moral level of those involved makes it pointless for Ziobro to risk his life.
Poland Still Not Totalitarian, Claims Kaczyński
Kaczyński stated that Poland is not yet a totalitarian state but is moving in that direction. He added that totalitarianism would only be acknowledged when criticism of the government is banned by law, saying the current path is toward a dictatorship‑like regime.
Refusal to Attend Parliamentary Commission Hearing
The leader said he would not stay in the Sejm to listen to the commission’s report recommending the initiation of criminal proceedings against Ziobro, calling the arguments “nonsense” and accusing the system of “continuous disrespect and shameless lies.”
Concerns About Party Stability
When asked whether he feared that another political defector could harm the party, Kaczyński replied that he would not allow a man of Ziobro’s stature to return and suffer severe persecution in prison, noting that the “group of people who abused power will eventually end.” He also said that he had spoken with Ziobro after the commission meeting but does not know the minister’s current whereabouts.