Polish police move into Constitutional Tribunal after judge suspension sparks protests
Police entered the Constitutional Tribunal in Warsaw following protests over the suspension of its head judge, Bogdan Swieczkowski, as the justice minister seeks to lift the judges' immunity.
Police deployed to the Constitutional Tribunal in Warsaw on Friday after demonstrators gathered to protest the suspension of the court's head judge, Bogdan Swieczkowski. Officers entered the building following incidents outside, including objects thrown at law enforcement, and detained three individuals.
Justice Minister Waldemar Zurek said he had asked that Swieczkowski and his deputy lose immunity for allegedly preventing newly elected judges from assuming their duties. Swieczkowski, appointed by the former Law and Justice (PiS) government, had used his position to block judges selected by the current parliamentary majority over the past six months.
Prime Minister Donald Tusk posted on X that restoring the rule of law is a governmental duty and described the process as difficult and requiring decisive action after years of what he called lawlessness under PiS.
PiS supporters gathered at the court gates, and police reported that some protesters launched "dangerous projectiles". President Karol Nawrocki, a PiS ally, cancelled a trip to Senegal, stating he needed to remain in Poland amid the developments.
The Constitutional Tribunal has been a focal point of political dispute, with critics accusing the previous PiS administration of politicising the judiciary. The current pro-European government has pledged to restore judicial independence, though two of its attempts have been vetoed by PiS-aligned presidents, including Nawrocki, who has refused to swear in three of six parliament-nominated judges.
Former Justice Minister Zbigniew Ziobro described the suspension as a "blatant, criminal attack on the constitutional order" on X.