Warsaw prosecutor charges Polish politician Bąkiewicz with incitement to murder, humiliation, and hate speech.
Charges Filed
Regional Prosecutor’s Office in Warsaw announced on Monday (9 February) that Robert Bąkiewicz has been charged with publicly inciting the murder of Prime Minister Donald Tusk, publicly humiliating a constitutional body, and inciting hatred on national, ethnic and racial grounds. The politician did not admit to any of the charges brought against him, refused to provide explanations, and limited himself to making a statement.
Official Response
“Charges have been brought against me and I think that’s where I should end my conference, because today anything politicians say in the public space can be a reason to put us in prison. Even if pieces were cut out of a conversation with Mr. Rymanowski, today giant charges can be brought,” said Robert Bąkiewicz after leaving the prosecutor’s office. “The charges are absurd. Ones that even TVN wouldn’t have come up with,” he added.
“Weeding Out” Controversy
The charges against Bąkiewicz relate to statements he made during a rally organized by PiS under the slogan “STOP illegal immigration” at Castle Square in Warsaw. The politician spoke alongside members of the Border Defense Movement, who held paper scythes.
“Don’t be afraid of prosecutors, courts, these people will pay the price for this. And the road to Grunwald must be such that justice must be done, that these weeds must be pulled out of Polish soil and thrown on that earth so that they never grow back,” he told the gathering.
Legal Consequences
The District Prosecutor’s Office Warsaw-Śródmieście-Północ took official action against Robert Bąkiewicz’s words. For the committed crimes, a prison sentence of up to three years and a fine may be imposed.
