Polish police and prosecutors entered the headquarters of the National Council of the Judiciary following a prosecutor’s decision to search the building.
Police Entry to KRS
Radio ZET reported on Wednesday, January 21, that police had entered the headquarters of the National Council of the Judiciary (KRS). Unofficially, it was determined that the prosecution had decided to search the building. “The appearance of prosecutors and police at the KRS headquarters is the result of a previous interrogation at the prosecutor’s office. After it, prosecutors issued a demand for the surrender of documents. If the KRS does not hand over the documents, a search will take place,” Radio ZET reported.
KRS Response on Social Media
The National Council of the Judiciary posted on its X profile regarding the searches. “Police and prosecutors appeared again at the KRS headquarters. Could it be about judges’ disciplinary files? Is this the first effect of today’s presentation of the ‘rule of law bill’ in the Sejm by Justice Minister Waldemar Żurek?” the post read.
KRS Bills in Sejm
This week, the Sejm is set to consider two bills regarding the National Council of the Judiciary. The Ministry of Justice informed what these projects concern. “Law on the restoration of the right to an independent and impartial court – the project regulates the effects of resolutions of the National Council of the Judiciary from 2018-2025 and systematizes the status of judges, introducing solutions aimed at guaranteeing citizens the right to have their case heard by an independent court. Law on the amendment to the Act on the National Council of the Judiciary – the project changes the method of selecting judges – members of the KRS, restoring the direct participation of the judicial environment in this process and strengthening the transparency of the Council’s functioning,” was posted on X.
Justice Minister’s Explanation
On Wednesday, Justice Minister Waldemar Żurek participated in a Sejm meeting. He explained that the purpose of the bill prepared by his ministry regarding the National Council of the Judiciary is to “regulate the status of judges appointed with the participation of the neo-KRS.” This in turn is to guarantee to participants in court proceedings “the full realization of the right to have their case considered by an independent, impartial, properly appointed court and the principle of legal certainty in terms of the permanence of court judgments.”