Warsaw prosecutor refuses to investigate autopsy photos from Southern Hospital, citing educational purpose
The Warsaw District Prosecutor's Office has declined to open an investigation into a mortuary coordinator's publication of graphic autopsy images, ruling the posts were educational and did not desecrate the dead. A separate probe into falsified death certificates continues.
The prosecutor's decision
The Warsaw District Prosecutor's Office refused on Wednesday to initiate proceedings into photographs from autopsies conducted at the Southern Hospital's mortuary. The images, shared on social media by coordinator Artur Habowski, showed severed, burned, and gunshot-wounded bodies, according to the Niezalezna.pl portal. The hospital's previous management had filed two crime reports: one concerning a suspected bugging device in the mortuary and the second alleging a breach of medical confidentiality through the publication of the images.
None of the posts contained content indicating an intent to desecrate the deceased. On the contrary, some posts emphasize the need to develop knowledge in this area, to ensure a dignified burial for the dead and to allow their families to say goodbye in a way that minimizes trauma.
The bugging device and photography rulings
Investigators determined the device found in the mortuary contained no recordings, and no conversations were captured. The investigation was therefore closed. On the photographs, the prosecutor concluded the posts aimed to popularize knowledge of thanatology, causes of death, and injury effects. Since the images did not allow identification of the deceased, no violation of medical confidentiality occurred.
Falsified death certificates
A separate investigation remains active into the falsification of 20 death certificates issued between 22 August and 9 September 2025. The documents were reportedly completed, stamped with the mortuary coordinator's seal, and signed by an unauthorized person. The case began after a doctor reported his signature had been forged and his stamp was missing.
- Start of the period in which 20 death certificates were allegedly falsified
- End of the period for the 20 allegedly falsified certificates
- Portal Zero.pl publishes an exposé detailing irregularities in the mortuary
- Prosecutor announces refusal to investigate autopsy photos; bugging case dropped; death certificate probe continues
Allegations of funeral-home promotion
The prosecutor also examined claims that the mortuary management pressured bereaved families to use a specific funeral home linked to Habowski's business partner, Dominika Jaskuła. After reviewing evidence and interviewing witnesses, no such practices were confirmed. The hospital stated the previous board had reported the irregularities, and 32 cases linked to the facility are now being handled by authorities.
Political uproar
The scandal triggered sharp reactions from opposition politicians. PiS spokesman Rafał Bochenek called it "Skin Hunters 2.0" and tied it to the ruling Civic Platform. MP Janusz Cieszyński demanded the immediate resignation of Warsaw Mayor Rafał Trzaskowski. Other voices, including KRRiT member Marzena Paczuska, said the revelations made her feel physically ill and called for resignations.
