Ethics Complaint Filed Against Kaczyński; Macierewicz Accuses Police of Serving Putin

Following a confrontation during the Smolensk monthly commemoration, Law and Justice (PiS) leader Jarosław Kaczyński faces an ethics committee complaint for disparaging police, while Antoni Macierewicz alleges officers serve Russian interests.

Formal Complaint Against Kaczyński

Krzysztof Janyska announced on X that she has submitted a motion to the Sejm Ethics Committee to penalize Jarosław Kaczyński for insulting police officers and other individuals. The motion stems from events last Friday at Piłsudski Square in Warsaw during the monthly Smolensk commemoration.

Kaczyński, accompanied by PiS politicians and the head of the presidential chancellery Zbigniew Bogucki, attempted to lay wreaths at the monuments to Lech Kaczyński and the Victims of the 2010 Smolensk Tragedy. Officers blocked their access, forcing the politicians to lay the wreaths at a distance.

Accusations of Partisan Policing

Commenting on the incident, Kaczyński claimed that protesters were being shielded while PiS politicians were being insulted and threatened with death. He accused the police of failing to intervene, labeling the officers as “militias” of the ruling party.

Kaczyński stated that the force must be rebuilt from scratch, suggesting the creation of a “citizens’ guard” to ensure order. PiS spokesperson Rafał Bochenek added that the party intends to notify the prosecutor’s office, claiming the current government is preventing them from honoring the victims of the Smolensk tragedy.

Government Rebuttal to “Militia” Claims

Interior Minister Marcin Kierwiński condemned Kaczyński’s behavior as “scandalous.” The Ministry of the Interior issued a statement rejecting the “unprecedented attacks” on officers and state institutions, asserting that comparing police to “militias” is a direct insult to the Polish uniform.

Janyska stated that, as chair of the Sejm Administration and Internal Affairs Committee, she acted after consulting with the Interior Minister. She emphasized that the attack on police officers cannot go without a formal response.

Macierewicz Allegations and Parliamentary Response

During Thursday’s Sejm session, Antoni Macierewicz accused the police of acting on behalf of Vladimir Putin. He claimed the force had engaged in criminal behavior by physically striking the organizers of a legal assembly while supporting illegal, anti-Polish protesters.

Deputy Interior Minister Czesław Mroczek responded to these allegations, stating that the police were acting with dedication to ensure public safety and maintain order at the various gatherings held on the square.