Polish prosecutors searched offices of judicial disciplinary spokespersons from the previous PiS government, while the president expressed concern over the actions.
Prosecutors Secure Documents After Months of Dispute
Prosecutors have secured documents after months of dispute regarding judicial disciplinary spokespersons. On Wednesday, another episode unfolded as prosecutors from the Internal Affairs Department of the National Prosecutor’s Office, with officers from the Capital City Police Command, went to the seat of the Disciplinary Spokesperson’s Office for Common Court Judges at Rakowiecka 30 in Warsaw to receive and secure documents.
Background of the Dispute
In April last year, then Minister of Justice Adam Bodnar dismissed Piotr Schab as the disciplinary spokesperson for common court judges, as well as his deputy Przemysław Radzik. The new Minister of Justice Waldemar Żurek, shortly after taking office at the end of July this year, dismissed the second deputy, Michał Lasota. These judges consider the dismissments by the Ministry of Justice to be unlawful and ineffective.
New Appointments and “Ad Hoc” Spokespersons
In mid-July this year, Bodnar appointed Mariusz Ullman, a judge from the Regional Court in Nysa, as the disciplinary spokesperson, and Tomasz Ładny as his deputy. However, in September, Ullman announced his resignation. Judge Joanna Raczkowska then became the new disciplinary spokesperson, with Grzegorz Kasicki as her deputy. Dismissed spokespersons argued that Raczkowska has no legal right to the position.
Prosecutor’s Actions
According to Prosecutor Anna Adamiak, “despite numerous summonses issued by newly appointed spokespersons, the files of disciplinary proceedings have not been handed over to the entitled persons.” The activities are based on a decision issued in an investigation concerning concealing documents and referring to functions not actually held.
Reactions to the Searches
Dagmara Pawełczyk-Woicka, Chairwoman of the National Council of the Judiciary, stated that police limited her access to the building, preventing her from organizing a press conference. Minister Żurek emphasized these are routine actions against individuals under investigation, not against the KRS. Opposition politicians criticized the actions as unconstitutional, while President Karol Nawrocki expressed concern that “such scenes should not have happened in a democratic Poland.”