The echoes of communist-era tactics are resonating loudly in the Polish judiciary. The disciplinary charges against Supreme Court Judge Zbigniew Karpiński for attempting to reassign the case regarding MP Mariusz Kamiński’s mandate reflect a disturbing trend. The case centers on the chaos following the annulment of Kamiński’s parliamentary immunity by the Supreme Court’s Extraordinary Control and Public Affairs Chamber, despite his presidential pardon.
Judicial Turmoil and Overreach
On January 5, 2024, the Extraordinary Control and Public Affairs Chamber overturned the Marshal of the Sejm’s decision to terminate Kamiński and Wąsik’s mandates. However, the Labor Chamber of the Supreme Court, unauthorized to handle such matters, also reviewed the case and dismissed the appeals. This controversial move has led to accusations that executive and legislative branches are unduly influencing judicial processes.
The association Ad Vocem has strongly criticized the disciplinary action against Judge Karpiński, denouncing it as a return to authoritarian practices. They argue that the appropriate chamber ruled according to law, and disciplining a judge for adhering to legal statutes is a gross injustice. Ad Vocem’s statement highlights the alarming trend of politically motivated judicial persecution.