A disturbing incident occurred during Rafał Trzaskowski’s campaign rally in Skierniewice, where the mayor of Warsaw refused to answer questions from TV Republika regarding the alleged use of state security services in his election campaign. The journalist attempting to ask the question was reportedly shoved by members of his campaign team.
TV Republika’s Questions Go Unanswered – Journalist Attacked
“When Monika Borkowska tried to ask Rafał Trzaskowski about the involvement of the Internal Security Agency (ABW) in the campaign against Karol Nawrocki, she was manhandled by Civic Platform staffers. Among those pushing our journalist was an unnaturally agitated Michał Marcinkiewicz, accompanied by Deputy Defense Minister Cezary Tomczyk. All of this happened in the presence of Trzaskowski himself,” said TV Republika’s program director Michał Rachoń.
Monika Borkowska also spoke on-air about her experience.
“I managed to get very close to Rafał Trzaskowski as he stepped out of his campaign bus. Unfortunately, I was pushed. One of the main figures in his security detail today was Mr. Marcinkiewicz, who has recently made headlines for various reasons. He was extremely aggressive. I was shoved in the crowd. Since it started to drizzle two minutes before the rally, I had an umbrella with me. Someone tried to violently snatch it from me,” the reporter recounted.
Sakiewicz: Not the First Time…
The incident was condemned by Tomasz Sakiewicz, editor-in-chief of TV Republika, on social media.
“I am outraged by the physical violence committed by Rafał Trzaskowski’s staff against our reporter Monika Borkowska. This occurred in the presence of Minister Tomczyk and involved Michał Marcinkiewicz. TV Republika reported just days ago that Marcinkiewicz had allegedly offered drugs. His attempt to retaliate against our journalist—amounting to a lynching—while she was trying to question Trzaskowski about the illegal use of special services in his campaign, constitutes a serious offense and a violation of democratic principles,” Sakiewicz wrote.
“This is not the first time Trzaskowski’s entourage has used violence against our journalists. However, until now, women had not been targeted. It’s clear that even that line has now been crossed,” he added.