The area surrounding Police Regional Headquarters No. 7 in Warsaw is heating up as reports confirm the detention of two prominent members of the Law and Justice (PiS) party, Mariusz Kamiński and Maciej Wąsik. The situation escalated further as law enforcement refused entry to fellow parliamentarians, resulting in heated altercations.
The breaking news was first brought to the public by Telewizja Republika, which confirmed that the detained lawmakers may have already been transferred to investigative custody. The scene outside the police station has attracted a crowd of demonstrators, including the leader of PiS, Jarosław Kaczyński.
Several hours ago, the TV station reported that the police, in the absence of President Andrzej Duda, who was engaged in a meeting with Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya at the Belweder Palace, entered the Presidential Palace and apprehended PiS parliament members Mariusz Kamiński and Maciej Wąsik.
Telewizja Republika stands as the sole media outlet within the police station, attempting to ascertain the actions being taken against the politicians. Their reporter and cameraman remain on the scene, providing live updates.
Outside the police station, a gathering of protesters has formed. Among them are PiS members of parliament, and notably, the party’s leader, Jarosław Kaczyński.
“We’re here with the MPs. For half an hour, we’ve been trying to enter the station with parliamentary intervention. Unfortunately, the police pushed us off the stairs, not allowing us to enter,” expressed Przemysław Czarnek in front of the police station.
The unfolding events have prompted concerns about the state of democracy and rule of law in Poland, with Czarnek proclaiming, “We are facing a coup. We need to wake up.”
The situation remains fluid, with growing uncertainty about the fate of the detained lawmakers and the motivations behind their apprehension.
Gorąca atmosfera przed komendą na Grenadierów. W środku są @Kaminski_M_ i @WasikMaciej. Do budynku próbuje wejść https://t.co/M3R0ukT9Mn poseł @OzdobaJacek. Zwolennicy polityków z flagami krzyczą „precz z komuną”, „więźniowie polityczni”. @RMF24pl pic.twitter.com/rJc3emz7LE
— Anna Zakrzewska (@anna_zakrzewsk_) January 9, 2024