President Karol Nawrocki has vetoed a bill under which it would have been impossible to impose pre-trial detention on perpetrators of serious crimes, including pedophiles, hackers, or individuals who encourage minors to drink alcohol. “This shows how poorly prepared these provisions were,” said Zbigniew Bogucki, Head of the Chancellery of the President, during a press conference.
The President of the Republic of Poland refused to sign the amendment to the Act – the Code of Criminal Procedure. Presidential spokesperson Rafał Leśkiewicz explained that the decision was made out of concern for citizens’ safety and the effectiveness of the state in combating the most dangerous crime.
The regulations that were supposed to come into force would have undermined the protection of minors, as was also pointed out in publications by Niezalezna.pl. Legal circles also appealed for a veto.
“This bill was also meant to protect pedophiles – this must be said clearly. Do you remember how the ruling coalition and some media outlets tried to shift the blame in connection with the cybersecurity law onto the President, claiming that he protects pedophiles? Nothing could be further from the truth. It was precisely this bill that assumed that law enforcement authorities, courts, and the prosecutor’s office would not be able to apply pre-trial detention in the case of the offense described in Article 200a paragraph 2 [of the Penal Code],” said Bogucki today.
The article cited by Bogucki states: “Anyone who, through an ICT system or telecommunications network, proposes to a minor under the age of 15 sexual intercourse, submission to or performance of another sexual act, or participation in the production or recording of pornographic content, and seeks to carry it out, shall be subject to a fine, restriction of liberty, or imprisonment for up to two years.”
“This shows how poorly prepared these provisions were and why the President vetoed this bill,” Bogucki stated.
If the President had not vetoed the bill, pre-trial detention could also not have been applied, among others, in cases involving encouraging minors to consume alcohol.
“The President does not consent,” Bogucki said firmly. “Children should be protected. If adults behave in this way toward children, they must reckon with criminal sanctions, including detention.”