“This resembles scenes from Georgia, albeit on a smaller scale, where those in power disregard the constitution and the law, using their democratic mandate to destroy democracy. Today, we are witnessing a situation where the court ignored the existence of the constitution, the Constitutional Tribunal, and its decisions, depriving a person of freedom based on a whim—or rather, on orders from those in power,” said Tomasz Sakiewicz, Editor-in-chief of TV Republika, commenting on the detention of Piotr Pogonowski.
Early this morning, law enforcement officers appeared at the residence of Piotr Pogonowski, a former head of the ABW, and detained him. He is to be forcibly brought before a commission dealing with the Pegasus case, which is accused of operating illegally.
‼️ Breaking on @RepublikaTV ‼️
— michal.rachon (@michalrachon) December 2, 2024
The liberal-left regime, led by @donaldtusk former European Council President, has detained the former head of ABW, Poland’s top intelligence agency, and a current board member of the National Bank of Poland.
📍Exclusive footage from the site of… pic.twitter.com/j8NjxNIVIn
In September 2024, the Constitutional Tribunal ruled that the commission’s activities were unconstitutional. According to the Tribunal, the Sejm had passed a resolution while improperly composed, as two deputies—Mariusz Kamiński and Maciej Wąsik—were prevented from fulfilling their mandates. Pogonowski, citing the Tribunal’s decision, had refused to appear before the commission on three occasions. However, in November, the Warsaw District Court disregarded the Tribunal’s ruling and ordered his detention to ensure his presence before the commission.
“This is a terribly sad day for Polish democracy. It brings to mind scenes from Georgia, albeit on a smaller scale, where those in power reject the constitution and the law, using a democratic mandate to undermine democracy. Today, we face a situation where the court refused to acknowledge the constitution, the Constitutional Tribunal, and its rulings, stripping a man of his freedom based on a whim—or rather, on orders from those in power,” Sakiewicz reiterated.
“It was the same during the PRL. Young people may not realize how quickly we are descending into the darkness of authoritarianism under the satirical tyrant that Donald Tusk represents,” he added.
According to the EIC of TV Republika, Pogonowski’s detention marks the crossing of yet another line.