POLICE STORM PRESIDENTIAL PALACE IN POLAND | ARREST CONSERVATIVE POLITICIANS
Polish police have arrested MPs Kamiński and Wąsik at the Presidential Palace in Warsaw, following their conviction for abuse of power.
Supporters of the MPs staged a huge protest outside the Police Station demanding their release.
The President had been reportedly sheltering the politicians after their conviction inside the palace.
Polish ex-ministers head for jail as police swoop on presidential palace
Source: Politico
Standoff in Warsaw: Police Enter Presidential Palace to Arrest Former Ministers Amid Government Tensions
In a dramatic escalation of tensions between Poland’s new government and its former ruling party, police entered the presidential palace in Warsaw to arrest two former ministers on Tuesday. Prime Minister Donald Tusk accused President Andrzej Duda of obstructing justice as the former ministers sought refuge in the presidential palace, leading to a highly charged standoff.
The arrested politicians, former Interior Minister Mariusz Kamiński and his deputy Maciej Wąsik, both members of the Law and Justice party, were convicted of abuse of power for actions in 2007 during their tenure in a previous government. They were sentenced to two years in prison in December and maintain their innocence.
President Duda, aligned with the Law and Justice party, welcomed the lawmakers into the presidential palace, triggering a swift police response to execute the court order. The arrest was carried out “in accordance with the court order,” according to Warsaw police.
The ongoing dispute stems from the recent change in government, with Prime Minister Tusk leading the new administration. Tensions have been rising since Law and Justice’s defeat in the October general election after eight years in power. Duda, in his second and final term until mid-2025, is signaling opposition to Tusk’s agenda.
Accusing President Duda of contributing to chaos and instability, Prime Minister Tusk alleged that the president was obstructing justice by providing refuge to the wanted ministers. Tusk emphasized the dangerous situation unfolding and urged Duda to reconsider his actions.
The heart of the conflict revolves around the abuse of power convictions of Kamiński and Wąsik, who insist on their innocence. Despite being pardoned by Duda when Law and Justice returned to power in 2015, a court on Monday issued orders for their arrest and imprisonment, leading to the current standoff.
The political turmoil underscores the deep divisions within Poland’s political landscape, with accusations of legal manipulations and power plays. As the situation continues to unfold, it remains a critical test for the resilience of the country’s democratic institutions and the rule of law.
