The recent detention of Marcin Romanowski, a member of the Polish Parliament and former Deputy Minister of Justice, has ignited a significant controversy, leading to accusations of international law violations and sparking a strong response from the European political community.
At a press conference held outside the Council of Europe building in Strasbourg, members of the Law and Justice Party (PiS) condemned Romanowski’s arrest, labeling it a breach of international law. PiS MEPs demanded immediate disciplinary actions against those responsible in the General Prosecutor’s Office and the Ministry of Justice.
Patryk Jaki, a prominent PiS MEP, emphasized the gravity of the situation, stating, “There is ample evidence that Poland is being governed by criminals and an organized crime group.” Jaki’s statement underscores the depth of the political rift and the severe allegations against the current administration.
The incident escalated when Arkadiusz Mularczyk, another PiS MEP, revealed that the Chairman of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), Theodoros Rousopoulos, had intervened by sending a letter to the Speaker of the Polish Parliament, Szymon Hołownia. The letter urged the suspension of proceedings against Romanowski, who is a PACE delegate.
Mularczyk expressed his dismay, stating, “Today, Poland is becoming a laughing stock among Council of Europe countries because those who are supposed to promote human rights are being arrested by the supposedly liberal government of Donald Tusk.” He further criticized the arrest as being in violation of international law and Council of Europe regulations.
The repercussions of Romanowski’s detention extend beyond the political sphere. Mularczyk warned of potential legal consequences for those involved in the decision, highlighting that Romanowski, as a PACE delegate, is protected by immunity. He called for decisive personnel changes within the prosecutor’s offices and the Ministry of Justice, condemning the actions as both illegal and damaging to Poland’s international reputation.
The situation took a dramatic turn when Romanowski was detained by the Internal Security Agency (ABW) in connection with alleged irregularities in the Justice Fund. The prosecutor’s office charged him with 11 offenses, including participation in an organized crime group. Despite these charges, the District Court for Warsaw-Mokotów refused to approve his three-month detention, citing his immunity as a PACE member.