A Series of Controversial Arrests
In his article, O’Shea enumerates the arrests of individuals associated with the Law and Justice Party (PiS), which have sparked deep concern in the West:
- Dariusz Matecki, Member of Parliament (March 2025): He was detained on the streets of Warsaw after voluntarily renouncing his parliamentary immunity while on his way to the prosecutor’s office. The government accuses him of obtaining illicit income during the previous parliamentary term. He faces up to ten years in prison.
- Marcin Romanowski, former Deputy Minister of Justice (December 2024): He obtained asylum in Hungary after Polish police unsuccessfully attempted to detain him at a Dominican monastery. Romanowski claims that, given the current situation, there is no guarantee of a fair trial in Poland. The Ministry of Justice accuses him of financial irregularities in the use of public funds.
- Fr. Michał Olszewski, SCJ (March 2024): He was arrested under dramatic circumstances by the Internal Security Agency (ABW). His foundation, which had received funding from the Ministry of Justice to establish a centre for victims of violence, is accused of diverting part of the funds for unrelated purposes. Reports suggest that the treatment of the priest during his arrest and detention raised serious concerns regarding human rights violations.
- Mariusz Kamiński, former Minister of Internal Affairs, and Maciej Wąsik, former Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs (January 2024): They were arrested inside the Presidential Palace, despite previous pardons granted by President Andrzej Duda. The court sentenced them to two years in prison for abuse of power. Kamiński declared himself a political prisoner and initiated a hunger strike.
Beyond these high-profile cases, there are reports of dozens of other legal proceedings against public figures and conservative organizations sympathetic to the previous government, O’Shea observes.
Promises of Accountability and Political Consequences
During the 2023 election campaign, the Civic Coalition, led by Donald Tusk, pledged that “violations of the Constitution and the rule of law will be swiftly addressed and prosecuted.” Plans were announced to bring former Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki and incumbent President Andrzej Duda before the State Tribunal, as well as to conduct an “independent, depoliticized investigation” against PiS leader Jarosław Kaczyński, O’Shea writes.
“Duda’s term ends this spring, when Poland will conduct a (likely) two-round contest to elect a new president. Though the Tusk government has routinely disregarded Duda’s constitutional powers and the authority of unyielding judges, a victory for the pro-government Warsaw Mayor Rafał Trzaskowski would entail a rubber stamp for Tusk and potential kangaroo courts for a slew of prominent opposition figures,”
O’Shea emphasizes.
The situation in Poland, particularly the manner in which the government treats political opponents, is becoming increasingly alarming and requires international scrutiny to ensure adherence to democratic principles and the rule of law, the journalist concludes.