Former Polish Officials Charged for Illegal Parliamentary Votes Despite Ban

Two former officials of the Polish Interior Ministry, Mariusz Kamiński and Maciej Wąsik, have been charged with breaking a court-ordered five-year ban on holding public office by unlawfully taking part in the December 2023 parliamentary votes. The charges under Article 244 of the Criminal Code, which deals with disobedience to a court order prohibiting one from engaging in public activity or holding certain positions, were made public by the Warsaw Public Prosecutor's Office.

The charges are related to the suspects' participation in the work of the Sejm, including in the Sejm Commission and the Sejm session on December 21, 2023. Kamiński and Wąsik had previously been convicted of abuse of power, but were later pardoned by President Andrzej Duda.

Why this matters: The case highlights ongoing tensions and controversies surrounding the rule of law and political influence in Poland's judicial system. It also raises questions about the enforcement of court-ordered bans on public office and the implications for democratic processes.

Despite the charges, the conservative Law and Justice (PiS) party has announced that Kamiński and Wąsik will run in the upcoming 2024 European elections. This decision has drawn criticism from opposition parties and legal experts who argue that the pardons do not override the court-ordered ban on holding public office.

The case has also brought attention to recent changes at the top of the Public Prosecution Service, with the appointment of a new National Prosecutor, Dariusz Korneluk. President Andrzej Duda has claimed that the head of the Ministry of Justice, Attorney General Adam Bodnar, is "breaking all the rules" in the field of the prosecutor's office.

As the investigation progresses, the outcome of the charges against Kamiński and Wąsik, as well as their participation in the upcoming European elections, remains uncertain. The case serves as a sobering reminder of the ongoing challenges and debates surrounding the independence of the judiciary and the integrity of democratic processes in Poland.

Key Takeaways

• Two former Polish officials charged for illegal parliamentary votes despite court ban.
• Suspects previously convicted of abuse of power but later pardoned by the president.
• Case highlights tensions over rule of law and political influence in Poland's judiciary.
• Despite charges, the ruling party announced the suspects will run in EU elections.
• Ongoing investigation and debate over judicial independence and democratic processes in Poland.