Former justice minister Zbigniew Ziobro commented on the detention and pre-trial arrest of journalist Leszek Kraskowski on social media. “A new, dangerous reality is emerging in Poland – selective authoritarianism. A demoralized government has turned the justice system into a tool of repression against those who most effectively challenge its interests. Today, these methods are being used against an investigative journalist who has become a thorn in the authorities’ side. In the future, they may be used against anyone who stands in their way or becomes too troublesome for them,” Ziobro stated.
Leszek Kraskowski, known for publishing information unfavorable to Roman Giertych (Civic Coalition), including details related to the Polnord case, was placed in pre-trial detention for three months on Tuesday. He has been charged with making criminal threats and illegally possessing a gas pistol and ammunition without the required permit.
The case has sparked outrage among parts of Poland’s journalistic community and political scene. Journalists’ organizations, including the Association of Polish Journalists (SDP) and Press Club Polska, as well as the Commissioner for Human Rights, have voiced concern.
Today, Zbigniew Ziobro, the former justice minister who is currently being sought by prosecutors led by Dariusz Korneluk and Waldemar Żurek, also addressed the matter.
“When pens fall silent, real fear begins. If a journalist critical of those in power can be silenced in such an ostentatious manner, who will be next?”
Ziobro asked.
He said he felt “obliged to react to injustice” and referred to Kraskowski’s pre-trial detention on charges of illegal weapons possession and making threats.
“As a long-serving minister of justice and prosecutor general, I am familiar with criminal policy, and I know that in cases involving such offenses, even when committed by individuals with extensive criminal records, non-custodial measures are almost always applied. Moreover, if the police had considered Mr. Kraskowski’s alleged threats to be genuine, they would have acted immediately and detained him last week, when the email was allegedly sent, rather than only now,”
Ziobro wrote.
“That is why I am convinced that the alleged threat and the gas weapon are merely a crude pretext to deprive a journalist of his most dangerous weapon, his pen, and ultimately break him,” he added.
Ziobro argued that it was impossible to ignore the connection between Kraskowski’s arrest and his reporting on the Polnord scandal, as well as what he described as exposing “the true role of Roman Giertych in the affair.”
“Yes, Leszek Kraskowski revealed that Giertych played a key role in the unlawful plundering of the Polnord company for the benefit of billionaire Ryszard Krauze, a figure linked to Russian intelligence circles, politics, and dubious business interests. Leszek Kraskowski consistently uncovered the background of this scandal. He also condemned the alleged manipulation of the investigation under the governments of Tusk, Bodnar, and Żurek. He did so despite receiving threats for months, including threats of assault and even death, if he did not stop writing about Giertych and Polnord. Threats were directed not only at him but also at his family. His house and car were even shot at. Yet no suspect was placed in detention for three months. In fact, no serious effort was made to apprehend anyone,”
Ziobro said.
He added that the journalist had found himself in a difficult situation, facing threats to both his own life and health and those of his loved ones.
“This story demonstrates that the scale of the justice system’s degradation under Donald Tusk’s government has reached alarming proportions. The law has become an instrument of revenge in the hands of authorities who no longer have any scruples,”
the former justice minister stated.
He described the case as “another drastic crossing of a red line.”
“A new, dangerous reality is emerging in Poland – selective authoritarianism. A demoralized government has turned the justice system into a tool of repression against those who most effectively challenge its interests. Today, these methods are being used against an investigative journalist who has become a thorn in the authorities’ side. In the future, they may be used against anyone who stands in their way or becomes too troublesome for them,”
Zbigniew Ziobro emphasized.