Authorities in Warsaw are investigating a series of hoax emergency reports following a Friday intervention at the home of TV Republika editor-in-chief Tomasz Sakiewicz triggered by a false suicide threat.
False Alerts and Police Action
On Friday, May 15, police were dispatched to the Warsaw apartment of TV Republika editor-in-chief Tomasz Sakiewicz after receiving a report that a child inside intended to commit suicide. This incident occurred during a surge of similar false threat reports, leading to the detention of a 53-year-old suspect.
Defamation of Officers
The police have addressed a wave of online disinformation targeting an officer from the Silesian department. Photos of the officer are being circulated with false claims of harassment against independent journalists.
The police stated that this officer had no involvement in the Sakiewicz intervention and have demanded an immediate cessation of the defamatory campaign, which includes the publication of the officer’s image alongside hateful, untruthful comments.
Political Reactions to the Incident
Karol Nawrocki expressed concern on X, stating that the situation crosses a dangerous line when journalists must fear that false reports will lead to police raids and searches of their homes or newsrooms.
Bartosz Grodecki, head of the National Security Bureau (BBN), announced he would request detailed information from the Interior Ministry regarding the alleged harassment of TV Republika journalists. Interior Minister Marcin Kierwiński responded, calling the claims false and urging officials to read police reports rather than politicizing emergency life-safety operations.
Official Account of the Intervention
The Warsaw II District Police Headquarters has formally denied accounts presented by TV Republika. They clarified that they received a report of an individual threatening their own life at the address, which was treated as a high-priority emergency.
Officers arrived to find a woman who refused to identify herself or cooperate. For the safety of all parties, she was handcuffed while the situation was assessed. Police investigations concluded that the initial threat was a malicious hoax intended to mislead emergency services.
