“There is no consent for the desecration of religious symbols in Poland or for the defamation of John Paul II,” Daniel Obajtek declared to supporters gathered outside the District Prosecutor’s Office in Warsaw, where he was formally charged. After leaving the questioning, he said he was “proud of this charge.”
Hundreds of people gathered outside the District Prosecutor’s Office in Warsaw, waiting for the former CEO of Orlen. Daniel Obajtek was summoned to hear criminal charges. The case concerns, among other things, the withdrawal of the weekly magazine NIE from Orlen petrol stations and Ruch newsstands. At the time, the then-head of the state-owned energy company argued that the publication offended the religious beliefs of Poles and defamed the Polish pope, John Paul II.
Przemysław Czarnek: “He Must Be Defended”
During a brief stop to speak with reporters on his way to the prosecutor’s office, Przemysław Czarnek stressed that Obajtek deserved support.
“Very few people possess what Obajtek has, and he must be defended. These cowards are going to charge him over this,” Czarnek said.
Later, the Law and Justice (PiS) politician, who is the party’s candidate for prime minister, added that “there are very few courageous people in Poland.”
Czarnek reminded journalists that those gathered at the rally had come to support Daniel Obajtek, who was being charged because he “removed from store shelves a rag that desecrated the good name of the Pope.” He added: “That is why we are here – to defend him against these charges.”
“There Is No Consent!”
Shortly before 11 a.m., Obajtek himself arrived at the prosecutor’s office and addressed the crowd, thanking supporters for their solidarity. He emphasized that “any person with even a shred of dignity” would have acted as he did.
“There is no consent for the desecration of religious symbols in Poland or for the defamation of John Paul II,” the former Orlen chief declared.
Among the politicians supporting Obajtek were members of Law and Justice (PiS) associated with both of the party’s rival internal factions – those linked to the so-called “butter makers” and the “scouts,” whose members are expected to face expulsion by the party’s Political Committee – as well as politicians not identified with either camp.
After leaving the prosecutor’s office, Obajtek said: “I am proud of this charge.” He added that, in his opinion, he had acted in the company’s best interests and argued that “even an atheist would have acted the same way.” He declared that if faced with the same circumstances again, he would make the same decision.
“I do not plead guilty to the alleged offenses,” he added. Obajtek also stressed that he refused to provide testimony until he had reviewed the prosecution’s evidence.
The District Prosecutor’s Office in Warsaw summoned the former Orlen CEO to present him with charges in two separate cases: the March 2023 withdrawal of the weekly magazine NIE from all Orlen sales outlets and allegations that he gave false testimony in court regarding his acquaintance with journalist Piotr Nisztor.