The handcuffing—and especially the forcible removal from the apartment—of an assistant to Tomasz Sakiewicz “had absolutely no justification,” according to former Justice Minister Marcin Warchoł.
“In Tusk’s lawless state, such violations of the law go unpunished, but soon this government will be gone, the rule of law will return, and so will accountability,” Warchoł said.
Police Entered Apartment Housing Sakiewicz’s Office
Two weeks ago, police officers entered an apartment that serves as the office of Tomasz Sakiewicz, president of Telewizja Republika. The intervention was prompted by a report alleging that a child was attempting suicide.
According to Sakiewicz, the officers failed to identify themselves upon entering the premises and subsequently placed his assistant in handcuffs. Participants in the incident also claimed that police searched the apartment.
In a written response sent to Telewizja Republika, Warsaw Police spokesperson Sub-Inspector Jacek Wiśniewski explained why handcuffs were used.
“In connection with suspected commission of an offense under Article 65 § 2 of the Petty Offenses Code, consisting of refusing to provide information regarding one’s identity, officers undertook actions aimed at establishing personal details. During the performance of their duties, taking into account security considerations and the need to ensure the proper course of the intervention, direct coercive measures were applied against the woman in the form of handcuffs placed on her hands behind her back.”
Critics described the explanation as highly controversial.
Police Reviewing Whether Force Was Proportionate
At the same time, Wiśniewski acknowledged that the appropriateness of the measures remains under review.
“Whether the measures applied were adequate to the situation encountered at the scene will be the subject of explanatory proceedings.”
As recently as Friday, Sakiewicz stated that police had still not delivered documentation approving the entry into his apartment and the deprivation of liberty connected with the detention and removal of his assistant, despite statutory deadlines provided under the Code of Criminal Procedure.
“The entire incident currently has the status of an assault, unlawful deprivation of liberty, and abduction,” the head of Telewizja Republika said.
Warchoł: Criminal Procedure Rules Were Violated
Marcin Warchoł argued that the incident constituted a breach of the Polish Code of Criminal Procedure.
“If anyone had doubts as to whether the police entry into editor Sakiewicz’s apartment was unlawful, they can no longer have them,” the PiS lawmaker wrote.
He pointed to Article 220 § 3 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, which requires police conducting a search without a prior warrant to obtain approval from a court or prosecutor and deliver the relevant decision to the affected person within seven days if requested.
According to Warchoł, police failed to comply with that obligation.
The former justice minister also argued that Article 227 of the Code of Criminal Procedure was “grossly violated.” The provision requires searches to be conducted with respect for the privacy and dignity of those affected and without causing unnecessary harm or inconvenience.
“Handcuffing the assistant—and especially forcibly removing her from the apartment in handcuffs—had no justification whatsoever,” Warchoł stated.
He concluded by arguing that such actions remain unpunished under the current government but that “the rule of law and accountability will return” once the present administration leaves office.