Jarosław Kaczyński will not attend Tuesday’s hearing in the defamation lawsuit filed by opposition MP Krzysztof Brejza over comments made during a Pegasus‑inquiry committee.
Case Overview
On Tuesday at 12:30 p.m. in the Warsaw Śródmieście District Court, the second hearing of the defamation lawsuit brought by opposition MP Krzysztof Brejza against Law and Justice party leader Jarosław Kaczyński began. Brejza filed a private criminal complaint over speeches made in a Pegasus‑inquiry committee, accusing Kaczyński of “serious and disgusting crimes.”
Brejza’s Allegations
Brejza said the remarks targeted high‑profile opposition figures—Wąsik, Kamiński, Ziobro—and represented an attempt by the governing PiS coalition to dismantle the opposition’s campaign. He described Kaczyński’s words as “brutal libel,” stressing that the case concerns espionage in 2019 and the broader PiS strategy.
Kaczynski’s Absence
While Brejza declared that Kaczyński’s failure to appear would be “cowardice,” the party leader did not attend the hearing. Brejza warned he was obliged to sit on the accused’s bench and that the case was “very serious.”
Later Court Appearance
Kaczynski finally appeared on 4 November, saying he felt “completely innocent” and that he had no choice but to answer the committee’s questions, claiming he was compelled to testify. He added that there was no reason to apologize to the opposition MP.
Immunity Revoked
In March of the same year, against Brejza’s private‑accuser petition, Kaczyński’s parliamentary immunity was lifted. The motion received 236 votes in favour and 200 against, with three MPs abstaining.
