On a significant turn of events, the Warsaw Appeals Court has shortened the detention of Father Michał Olszewski and two Ministry of Justice officials. The decision was announced on platform X by attorney Adam Gomoła, representing one of the detainees in connection with the Justice Fund case. The court session, held from 9:00 AM today, concluded with the announcement that the detention would be reduced until August 31, 2024.
Defense Attorneys’ Statements
Following the session, the defense attorneys expressed their satisfaction with the outcome. “We have a small victory! The detention is shortened to August 31!” wrote Father Olszewski’s lawyer, Krzysztof Wąsowski, on platform X. Wąsowski also mentioned in an interview with Telewizja Republika that the Appeals Court recognized irregularities in the prosecution’s handling of the case. He highlighted that the court dismissed the prosecution’s argument of needing more time for crucial actions, granting only a month to complete them.
Wąsowski further explained that the court identified flaws in the charges under Article 296, related to managerial crimes. The defense had continuously argued that neither the two female officials nor Father Olszewski fit the criteria for such charges. This recognition by the court complicates the prosecution’s efforts to extend the detentions further.
This decision marks a critical development in the Justice Fund case, reflecting judicial scrutiny over prosecutorial practices. The acknowledgment of faulty charges and the court’s directive to expedite proceedings could significantly influence the case’s trajectory, potentially leading to the release of the detainees by the end of August.