Police officers in balaclavas stormed the Dominican monastery in Lublin, ostensibly searching for Marcin Romanowski. Drones hovered over the monastery, yet the Chief of Police declared in an interview that Romanowski was not even in Poland. According to the Dominican provincial superior, none of the monks in Lublin knew Romanowski or had ever spoken to him. All of thinking Poland is now wondering why Adam Bodnar decided to raid the most “progressive” monastery and even search the cell of Father Ludwik Wiśniewski, a vocal critic of the ruling Law and Justice Party (PiS). Is this a case of Olsen Gang-style blunders? Maybe not. There’s only one scenario in which Bodnar’s apparent madness could appear logical, writes Piotr Lisiewicz, Deputy Editor-in-Chief of Gazeta Polska, for Niezależna.pl.
The connection between Dominican Father Wojciech Giertych, Roman Giertych’s uncle, and the latter’s evasion of Polish prosecutors has been widely reported. Father Wojciech Giertych, appointed Theologian of the Papal Household by Benedict XVI, remains a highly influential figure in the Dominican Order, holding roles such as a member of its General Council and formerly serving as Assistant to the Master of the Order for Central and Eastern Europe.
Giertych on Bodnar’s Team: “A Disgrace!”
In 2020, journalist Cezary Gmyz tweeted:
“Roman G. activated his uncle, who petitioned Italian authorities not to hand over evidence found at the nephew’s Italian estate.”
Regarding Marcin Romanowski’s case, Father Giertych harshly criticized the prosecution under Bodnar’s oversight.
“For hundreds of hours, we worked on the FS case. For months, we awaited motions to lift immunities that Prosecutor Korneluk promised as far back as March. Today, the main suspect walks free because the National Prosecutor’s Office forgot to file the immunity waiver request with the Council of Europe. A disgrace!” Giertych wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
Thou Shalt Search Thy Uncle’s Monastery
Bodnar, spurred into action, intensified efforts to pursue Romanowski. His team’s fervor culminated in raiding the Lublin monastery of none other than Uncle Giertych. The operation seemed disorganized and irrational. The most prominent figure at the Lublin monastery, Father Ludwik Wiśniewski, is widely known for his progressive views. A critic of PiS, he has given interviews to Gazeta Wyborcza, participated in Jerzy Owsiak’s festival, and penned scathing open letters to Jarosław Kaczyński and Andrzej Duda. Could it be Father Ludwik’s cell that was searched under suspicion of harboring Romanowski? Or perhaps other monks acted without his knowledge?
The feud between Adam Bodnar and Roman Giertych—who himself has ambitions to become Minister of Justice—has spilled into public view, with both sides trading jabs. On July 10, Bodnar commented on the unofficial TVP:
“I think the main difference between me and Roman Giertych is that he can write whatever he wants and avoid accountability.”
Giertych Still Facing Charges
It’s worth noting that the Lublin Prosecutor’s Office, under Bodnar, has not dropped charges against Roman Giertych. On the contrary, they’ve extended the investigation against him until January 16, 2025.
The allegations against Giertych include actions detrimental to the Polnord company, misappropriation of significant assets amounting to over 72 million PLN, causing damage to Polnord of 4.5 million PLN under the guise of a legal services agreement with his law firm, and laundering approximately 5.2 million PLN.