Police Refute Kaczyński’s Claims of Politicization Following Scuffle

Following a heated confrontation at Warsaw’s Piłsudski Square during the monthly Smolensk tragedy commemoration, the Metropolitan Police have officially rejected accusations of partisan bias made by PiS leader Jarosław Kaczyński.

Confrontation at the Monument

During the July Smolensk tragedy monthly commemoration at Piłsudski Square in Warsaw, physical scuffles broke out near the monuments to President Lech Kaczyński and the Victims of the 2010 Smolensk Tragedy. Jarosław Kaczyński entered into a heated dispute with police officers, arguing that protesters had no right to disrupt the ceremony. Ultimately, PiS politicians, including Antoni Macierewicz, Zbigniew Bogucki, and Sławomir Cenckiewicz, placed their wreath on the sidewalk several meters away from the monument.

Kaczyński sharply criticized the police, labeling them a “militia of the ruling party” rather than a neutral law enforcement agency. He alleged that such incidents are used by the government to distract from a scandal at the Southern Hospital, and accused the force of mocking the law.

Police Defense of Neutrality

In response to the incident, the Metropolitan Police issued a statement on X, emphasizing that all officer actions are strictly based on existing law. The force asserted that its primary objective is ensuring the safety of all participants and bystanders, preventing the escalation of tensions, and protecting public order and property.

The police maintained that they remain an apolitical formation. Officials stated that their interventions are not influenced by the views, roles, or organizational affiliations of those involved in these events. They noted that all police actions are recorded by body cameras and local monitoring systems to ensure accountability and legality.

Previous Escalations

Kaczyński has stated that if his party returns to power, they will implement a legal ban on approaching the Smolensk-related monuments at Piłsudski Square. The Metropolitan Police reaffirmed that their role is to protect public safety, not to participate in political or ideological disputes.

This follows a separate incident on July 9, the eve of the commemoration, involving Antoni Macierewicz. During a standoff with protesters, the PiS MP engaged in pushing, leading to a hours-long intervention by the police while protesters leveled accusations against him.