The president of TV Republika, Tomasz Sakiewicz, has been summoned to appear before the National Prosecutor’s Office as a witness in an investigation involving, among others, Zbigniew Ziobro. Despite the explicit annotation in the document stating his status as a witness, the acting head of the National Prosecutor’s Office, prosecutor Dariusz Korneluk, has publicly spoken about the possibility of the “crime of aiding an offender” and has not ruled out the prospect of future charges. In connection with the questioning scheduled for May 20, Gazeta Polska Clubs are calling on supporters to gather outside the headquarters of the National Prosecutor’s Office and are publishing mobilization materials on social media.
On Sunday, TV Republika reported that former justice minister Zbigniew Ziobro had left Hungary and traveled to the United States. According to the station, he is expected to cooperate with the broadcaster in the role of commentator.
The following day, Tomasz Sakiewicz, president of TV Republika, received a summons from the National Prosecutor’s Office. The document states that he is to appear on May 20 at 9:00 a.m. as a witness in proceedings conducted “against Zbigniew Ziobro and others.” The summons also included the annotation “appearance mandatory.” The document was signed by prosecutor Piotr Woźniak.
The matter sparked additional commentary following statements made by prosecutor Dariusz Korneluk, who heads the National Prosecutor’s Office. Speaking to TVN24, he said that the circumstances surrounding Ziobro’s departure and his cooperation with TV Republika needed to be clarified.
“It is necessary to clarify what happened that Zbigniew Ziobro, suddenly, from one day to the next, just after the change of government in Hungary, became a correspondent or employee of TV Republika, and whether this may possibly be connected with the commission of an offense under Article 239, namely the crime of aiding an offender,”
Korneluk said.
Asked on TVN24 whether Sakiewicz’s summons as a witness could eventually “turn into some form of charge” related to assistance in Ziobro’s departure to the United States, Korneluk replied that he “could not rule it out.”
In connection with the planned questioning, Gazeta Polska Clubs are urging supporters to gather on May 20 outside the headquarters of the National Prosecutor’s Office. Videos encouraging sympathizers of the movement to attend the gathering and show support for Tomasz Sakiewicz are also being published on social media.