Gangsters, thieves, fraudsters, drug dealers, and even brutal murderers—all of them can now count on having their convictions overturned. A portion of the judicial community is issuing politically charged rulings “en masse.” Leading the way is the Supreme Court, even if it comes at the expense of crime victims, writes Gazeta Polska in its latest issue.
According to Judge Piotr Schab, we are witnessing an “absolute rebellion in the judiciary.” The most notorious example in recent days is the overturned sentence of serial killer Mariusz G., who admitted guilt and was sentenced to life in prison. The reason? The judge who presided over the case was appointed with the involvement of the current National Council of the Judiciary (KRS), which some in the judiciary have seized upon as grounds to undermine her legitimacy.
A similar fate befell the case of a brutal attack on an 18-year-old woman by her boyfriend. The Supreme Court ordered a retrial because—in its view—the judge involved in the initial phase of the trial was “not duly authorized.” As a result, the victim must relive her trauma and once again face her attacker in court.
Such decisions are causing growing outrage.
The scale of the problem is vast. Between 2022 and 2024, the Supreme Court overturned 155 verdicts solely due to the composition of the court, without examining the merits of the cases. In 2024 alone, there were already 120 such instances! This practice often leads to the statute of limitations running out on crimes, allowing perpetrators to go unpunished.
Judge Schab points out that “the Supreme Court and appellate courts take the lead when it comes to harnessing the judiciary for political ends.” The result? A paralyzed justice system and a threat to public safety.