Credits: Gage Skidmore CCA-SA 3.0//Biuro Prasowe PFR CCA 4.0 via Wikipedia Commons
On Tuesday, U.S. President Donald Trump held a phone conversation lasting over an hour with Russian leader Vladimir Putin. Even before the call, it was clear that the discussion would include, among other topics, the war in Ukraine.
Shortly after the conversation ended, the U.S. president summarized it on social media. He described it as “very good and productive” and shared specific agreements that had been reached.
“We agreed to an immediate Ceasefire on all Energy and Infrastructure, with an understanding that we will be working quickly to have a Complete Ceasefire and, ultimately, an END to this very horrible War between Russia and Ukraine,”
he wrote on the Truth Social platform.
He also added: “This War would have never started if I were President!“
The U.S. president stated that he and Putin discussed “many elements of a Contract for Peace”—including the fact that thousands of soldiers are dying and that both President Putin and President Zelensky would like the war to end.
“This process is now in full force and effect, and we will, hopefully, for the sake of Humanity, get the job done!”
Member of Parliament Dariusz Matecki (Law and Justice – PiS) was detained by officers of the Internal Security Agency (ABW) on orders from the prosecutor’s office amid an investigation concerning the Justice Fund. The National Prosecutor’s Office has brought six charges against Matecki, each carrying potential penalties of up to 10 years imprisonment. Matecki has pleaded not guilty and provided extensive explanations. Judge Joanna Włoch ordered Matecki’s detention for two months, initially in Warsaw, and subsequently in a hospital wing at the detention facility in Radom.
Matecki Expresses Gratitude for Support
“MP Dariusz Matecki was in touch with his legal representative today and asked to convey his heartfelt thanks to you all for your support, especially your prayers,” announced MP Mariusz Gosek (PiS).
“MP Matecki prays with you every day, and after 8 p.m., during the news segment on TV Trwam, he joins in praying the rosary,” Gosek continued. “Please remember, it is Tusk and Bodnar—not the prison staff—who are responsible for the fact that MP Dariusz Matecki, a completely innocent man, is behind bars. Stay strong through prayer. Darek will emerge victorious; we will win this battle, then the next, and eventually, patriotic Poland will triumph. Together, we will make Poland great again!” Gosek wrote.
“Tomorrow, after 8 p.m., following sessions of Parliament and parliamentary committees, a group of MPs will gather outside the Radom detention facility to pray the rosary together with our colleague, MP Dariusz Matecki,” added the PiS politician, thanking the media, including notably Telewizja Republika.
“I have officially requested protection,” announced prosecutor Ewa Wrzosek. She claims to be a victim of an “unimaginable hate campaign.”
Barbara Skrzypek, a long-time associate of PiS leader Jarosław Kaczyński, passed away on Saturday, March 15. Just a few days earlier, on Wednesday, March 12, she had been questioned as a witness in an investigation concerning the Srebrna company. Prosecutor Ewa Wrzosek conducted the interrogation at the Warsaw District Prosecutor’s Office.
PAP (Polish Press Agency) asked prosecutor Wrzosek if she had agreed to receive protection to ensure her safety. “Yes. I have officially requested protection due to the countless criminal threats directed against me, incitement to crimes against my person, and an unimaginable campaign of hate and hostility inspired by public figures and politicians,” replied the prosecutor.
Since Monday, the Warsaw-Praga District Prosecutor’s Office, under supervision by the National Prosecutor’s Office, has been investigating the death of Skrzypek. According to preliminary autopsy results provided by prosecutors, the cause of Skrzypek’s death was “circulatory failure due to an extensive infarction of the posterior wall of the heart.”
The family of the late Barbara Skrzypek did not consent to an autopsy, explicitly noting their refusal in the official record. Despite this, the prosecutor’s office removed Skrzypek’s body from the funeral home without the knowledge or consent of her relatives, according to information obtained by the portal Niezależna.pl.
On Tuesday, the Regional Prosecutor decided to transfer the investigation into Skrzypek’s death to the District Prosecutor’s Office in Warsaw-Praga. Barbara Skrzypek, a longtime associate of PiS chairman Jarosław Kaczyński, died on Saturday, March 15. Only days earlier, on Wednesday, March 12, she had been questioned as a witness by prosecutor Ewa Wrzosek in a case concerning the Srebrna company.
Niezależna.pl asked a spokesperson for the Warsaw-Praga Prosecutor’s Office if the family had consented to the autopsy.
“The decision to conduct an autopsy is within the prosecutor’s authority. Family consent is not required in this matter,” said spokesperson Norbert Antoni Woliński.
We also inquired whether Skrzypek’s family had formally stated their objection to the release of her body in the official records.
“In criminal proceedings, prosecutors issue orders, including decisions to conduct an autopsy. Consent from relatives isn’t required. I haven’t seen the protocol, so I can’t confirm if such information was included,” Woliński explained.
We further questioned whether prosecutors were aware that Barbara Skrzypek’s body had been removed from the funeral home without family approval. “The family was informed about the autopsy,” the spokesperson replied. When pressed on timing, he reiterated, “As I mentioned, the prosecutor’s decision does not require consent.”
The cause of Barbara Skrzypek’s death was circulatory failure resulting from an extensive heart attack affecting the posterior wall of the heart, Prosecutor Norbert A. Woliński, spokesperson for the Warsaw-Praga District Prosecutor’s Office, announced on Tuesday.
“The preliminary findings indicate that the cause of death was circulatory failure due to a massive heart attack of the posterior heart wall, accompanied by the presence of a thrombus and impaired patency of the circumflex branch of the left coronary artery,” Prosecutor Woliński stated.
He also emphasized that the autopsy did not reveal any mechanical injuries that could have contributed to the death.
“Samples have been secured for further examination, which will be conducted,” he added.
President of the Constitutional Tribunal, Bogdan Świączkowski, left no room for doubt in his conversation with editor Adrian Stankowski – the current legal situation in Poland amounts to a constitutional coup, threatening the very foundations of the rule of law. Świączkowski points to serious irregularities in the actions of prosecutors, the government, and key institutions, which, instead of serving the citizens, are using their positions to destabilize the legal system.
Constitutional Tribunal’s Financial Crisis, Judicial Independence at Risk, and International Threats
These are just some of the pressing issues raised by Świączkowski, who emphasized the urgent need to defend the rule of law from political interference.
A Coup in Poland’s Legal System
The President of the Constitutional Tribunal does not hesitate to use strong words to describe the current crisis in the judiciary. Świączkowski asserts that the actions of the government and ministers, including Minister Adam Bodnar, are leading to state destabilization. He highlights political ties among top officials in the National Prosecutor’s Office and identifies individuals in public positions who, instead of serving the state, engage in unlawful activities, violating the law and exceeding their authority.
“I believe this is the personal responsibility of the minister and the Prosecutor General because he is the legitimate prosecutor.” – Bogdan Świączkowski, President of the Constitutional Tribunal
Świączkowski accuses these individuals of weakening state institutions, which should not be used for political purposes. He reminds that every citizen has the right to expect authorities to uphold the constitution rather than exploit their positions for personal gain.
Constitutional Tribunal in Crisis – Financial and Institutional Breakdown
One of Świączkowski’s most serious allegations is the lack of funds to pay judges’ salaries. He claims that the government has deliberately deprived the Constitutional Tribunal of over 10 million PLN, which not only creates financial difficulties but also symbolizes a direct attack on the institution’s independence. Świączkowski stresses that this move is intentional, aimed at weakening the Tribunal, one of the key bodies safeguarding the constitution.
“Over 10 million PLN was deliberately and intentionally taken from the Constitutional Tribunal’s budget for judges’ salaries.” – Bogdan Świączkowski
According to Świączkowski, this action by the government and the Ministry of Justice represents yet another attempt to undermine the independence of Poland’s legal institutions and establish control over them. He reminds that the Tribunal does not serve political interests but acts in the interest of the citizens, ensuring compliance with the constitution and maintaining the balance of powers.
The International Dimension of Poland’s Rule of Law Crisis
Świączkowski acknowledges that Poland’s legal crisis has also been noticed internationally. Reports from global institutions highlight the serious deterioration of the rule of law in Poland, affecting the country’s reputation on the world stage.
International media, including American and Italian press, are raising alarms about the destruction of Polish state institutions, including the Constitutional Tribunal, due to political entanglements and actions that violate fundamental democratic principles.
“The American press reports that these are not just serious allegations. Italy, America… This truly reflects the situation in Poland.” – Bogdan Świączkowski
He warns that Poland cannot allow the continued erosion of its institutions, especially in the face of external threats such as Russia’s aggression against Ukraine.
In his view, the ongoing political situation, which undermines the country’s foundations, could lead to further destabilization—one that the entire state structure may not survive.
During a press conference today, the National Prosecutor’s Office announced that the investigation into the death of Barbara Skrzypek has been transferred to the Warsaw-Praga District Prosecutor’s Office. An autopsy on the woman is scheduled to be conducted today. The office is headed by Aleksandra Sroczyńska, who was praised by prosecutor Ewa Wrzosek over a year ago.
On Monday, Piotr Skiba, spokesperson for the Warsaw District Prosecutor’s Office, stated that the case materials would be forwarded to the Regional Prosecutor’s Office in Warsaw in order to assign the investigation to a prosecutor’s office outside the Warsaw district.
Ensuring Impartiality
“In order to thoroughly examine the circumstances of this death, the case materials will be transferred to the Regional Prosecutor’s Office in Warsaw to ensure a fair and transparent investigation. Our primary concern is to eliminate any doubts regarding the impartiality of the prosecutor’s office and its officials, as such concerns have arisen in the media over the past 48 hours,” Skiba said on Monday.
Warsaw-Praga Prosecutor’s Office – Leadership
Today, it was confirmed that the regional prosecutor has decided to transfer the case regarding Barbara Skrzypek’s death to the Warsaw-Praga District Prosecutor’s Office.
It is worth noting that the District Prosecutor of the Warsaw-Praga office is Aleksandra Sroczyńska. In February 2024, upon her appointment to this position, she received a kind of “endorsement” from prosecutor Ewa Wrzosek, who was involved in a case in which the late Barbara Skrzypek had been questioned.
“Prosecutors Małgorzata Adamajtis, Aleksandra Sroczyńska, and Piotr Kowalik guarantee independence, depoliticization of the prosecutor’s office, and accountability for past wrongdoings,” Wrzosek wrote on social media.
It is also worth mentioning the head of the 1st Investigative Division of the Warsaw-Praga District Prosecutor’s Office—prosecutor Hubert Podolak. In 2014, he was present at the headquarters of the Wprost weekly during an Internal Security Agency (ABW) operation. In 2009, he handled a case concerning Gazeta Polska, in which the prosecutor’s office collected information about editorial meetings.
Odwołania to jedno. Równie ważne, o ile aktualnie nie ważniejsze jest – kto podjął się zbudowania nowej prokuratury. Prokuratorzy Małgorzata Adamajtis, Aleksandra Sroczyńska i Piotr Kowalik dają gwarancję niezależności, odpolitycznienia prokuratury i rozliczenia patologii pic.twitter.com/hW4WByX6WK
— e-wrzosek #FBPE#FundamentalRights (@e_wrzosek) February 2, 2024
Adam Bodnar will not intervene in the case of Ewa Wrzosek or her decision to deny a legal representative’s participation in proceedings involving Barbara Skrzypek. “The Prosecutor General will not take any action in this matter,” said Anna Adamiak, spokesperson for the Prosecutor General, today.
During a press conference held by the National Prosecutor’s Office, it was announced that the investigation into the death of Barbara Skrzypek has been transferred to the Warsaw-Praga District Prosecutor’s Office.
At the press conference, Anna Adamiak addressed media reports that have surfaced in recent days regarding “Prosecutor Ewa Wrzosek’s refusal to allow a legal representative for witness Barbara Skrzypek to participate in the proceedings.”
“Under the current law, the decision to grant or deny permission for a legal representative’s participation is within the prosecutor’s authority. Based on the specifics of the case and the legal interests of the witness, the prosecutor makes an independent decision on the matter. Prosecutor Wrzosek acted as an independent prosecutor. The Prosecutor General, Adam Bodnar, and we, as prosecutors, understand the responsibility that comes with our decisions. This matter will be assessed as part of the ongoing proceedings. Ewa Wrzosek’s decision was made in accordance with the law,” Adamiak stated.
She emphasized that “Adam Bodnar has taken no actions that could influence the course of the proceedings.”
“Independence equates to professionalism. That is why the Prosecutor General will not take any action in this case. However, he expects the prosecution to demonstrate determination in thoroughly investigating the circumstances of Barbara Skrzypek’s death,” — added Prosecutor Anna Adamiak.
In response to media inquiries, she denied that Ewa Wrzosek had been summoned for any explanations.
#FundamentalRights (@e_wrzosek) 