Police deployed as Poland's government moves against top court judges

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 30 Oct, 23:45 · Archive

Polish police were deployed at the Constitutional Court in Warsaw after the government moved to prosecute its head judge and deputy.

Polish police were deployed at the Constitutional Tribunal in Warsaw on Friday after the government moved against its senior judges. Justice Minister Waldemar Żurek announced he had requested stripping the court's President Bogdan Święczkowski and Vice-President Bartłomiej Sochański of immunity from prosecution to bring criminal charges against them.

The row stems from a long-running dispute over the court's composition. Święczkowski, appointed by the former right-wing Law and Justice (PiS) government, has used his power as head of the court to block judges elected by the current parliamentary majority from assuming their duties. The current government, led by Prime Minister Donald Tusk, has pledged to depoliticise the judiciary.

Tusk defended the move, writing that restoring the rule of law was necessary after years under PiS. However, the Constitutional Court said those involved were committing 'the crime of a coup d'etat'. PiS supporters gathered outside the court to protest; police said they detained three people after projectiles were thrown. President Karol Nawrocki, backed by PiS, cut short a journey to Senegal for the Summer Youth Olympic Games to return to Warsaw.

How it is being reported

• Polish police deployed to top court after head judge suspendedJudge's suspension is part of a long dispute over politicisation of the Constitutional Tribunal under former government.Al Jazeera · 30 Oct, 23:19
• Police deployed during stand-off over control of Poland's top courtIt comes after the government suspended two senior justices and moved to bring criminal charges against them.BBC News · 30 Oct, 20:52

In this story: Donald Tusk · Bogdan Święczkowski · Bartłomiej Sochański · Law and Justice · Constitutional Tribunal · Warsaw · Poland · Karol Nawrocki

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem · Corrections log