A Polish court ruled to end the suspension of Deputy Prosecutor General Michał Ostrowski, who was removed from duty in February 2025, sparking political tensions.
Ostrowski’s Suspension and Reinstatement
The Disciplinary Court at the Prosecutor General’s Office decided not to extend the suspension of Deputy Prosecutor General Michał Ostrowski. The current suspension period expires on April 10th. An appeal of this decision will be possible after the reasoning is published.
Ostrowski was appointed Deputy Prosecutor General by then-Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki, following a nomination from then-Justice Minister Zbigniew Ziobro, a month after the October 15, 2023 elections.
Initial Suspension and Investigation
Prosecutor Ostrowski was suspended for six months by then-Prosecutor General and Minister of Justice Adam Bodnar in February 2025. This occurred shortly after Ostrowski initiated an investigation into allegations of a “coup d’état” involving the Prime Minister and parliamentary leaders, following a notification from the President of the Constitutional Tribunal, Bogdan Święczkowski.
Disciplinary Proceedings and Court Ruling
A disciplinary prosecutor initially recommended extending the suspension, and the disciplinary court had previously granted extensions. On Tuesday, the court revisited the case, but Adam Bodnar, now a Senator, did not attend due to Senate committee obligations.
Bartosz Lewandowski, one of Ostrowski’s legal representatives, announced that the disciplinary court did not extend the suspension. Lewandowski stated on X (formerly Twitter) that Ostrowski would return to work after 14 months of suspension.
Confirmation and Potential Appeal
Prosecutor Anna Adamiak, spokesperson for the Prosecutor General, confirmed to the Polish Press Agency (PAP) that the Disciplinary Court had decided not to extend Ostrowski’s suspension, which was set to expire on April 10th. She added that the decision is appealable after the reasoning is published, a publication delayed by seven days.
Ostrowski’s Response and Future Plans
Ostrowski stated on X that the Disciplinary Court made the right decision to end his “non-existence” within the prosecution service. He expressed hope that Prosecutor General Waldemar Żurek would soon assign him tasks aligned with his qualifications, stating his desire to serve society and Poland.
Reasons for Suspension and Prior Investigations
Ostrowski was suspended because he initiated an investigation into the alleged “coup d’état” without prior registration in the prosecution’s evidentiary system. Concerns were also raised about his close relationship with the President of the Constitutional Tribunal and his prior employment under him from 2016-2022, as well as issuing the investigation order while aware of its political nature.
The investigation into the alleged “coup d’état” is now being led by the Warsaw District Prosecutor’s Office.
Political Context and Prior Conflicts
The conflict surrounding the leadership of the Polish prosecution service is linked to the change in leadership at the National Prosecutor’s Office in early 2024, when then-Prosecutor General Adam Bodnar declared the reinstatement of Dariusz Barski from retirement as legally invalid.
In January 2024, Ostrowski filed a complaint with the Warsaw Regional Prosecutor’s Office alleging crimes committed by Bodnar in connection with the attempted removal of prosecutor Barski. This investigation was later closed in July 2024, with the prosecutor concluding that no criminal offense had been committed.
Ostrowski was one of the Deputy Prosecutors General appointed during the previous PiS government, who were reassigned to departments dealing with organized crime in December 2024. He, along with others affected by this decision, criticized it as hindering their ability to fulfill their duties as Deputy Prosecutors General.
