Court bans Komosa from blaming Lech Kaczyński for Smolensk crash, orders apology

Court ruling

The Warsaw Regional Court (Sąd Okręgowy w Warszawie) ruled on Wednesday, 28 October 2026, in a case brought by Jarosław Kaczyński against activist Zbigniew Komosa. The case concerns the wreaths Komosa lays at a Warsaw monument to the Smolensk crash victims, which carry inscriptions blaming Lech Kaczyński. Judge Elżbieta Stefaniuk reasoned that the investigation into the causes of the Smolensk crash is still ongoing, so the claims should not be presented publicly. The court barred Komosa from publicly presenting content, including assertions, speculation, suggestions or questions, that the president contributed to the tragedy in any way or influenced the decision to land at Smolensk on 10 April 2010. Kaczyński argued that the activist violated his personal rights, including his right to cultivate the memory of his late brother.

Payment and apology

The court also ordered Komosa to pay 30,000 zł to the Stowarzyszenie na rzecz wspierania hospicjum im. Jana Pawła II in Ostrowiec Świętokrzyski. He must publish a written apology to Kaczyński within three days of the ruling becoming final, both as a post on X and as a letter addressed to Kaczyński. According to the text of that apology, the conduct it covers began on 10 February 2020. PiS spokesman Rafał Bochenek announced the verdict on X, adding:

“There is no consent for lying, Russian propaganda in the public space!”

Komosa's response

Komosa reacted on X and said he does not accept the limits being placed on public debate.

“I do not agree to the stifling of public debate.”

He said he will file an appeal together with his lawyer. He also said that when he began laying wreaths he had considered the worst possible outcomes, so he is not despairing. He criticised the fact that the case was heard by a judge he had failed to have removed from the proceedings. According to Onet, Komosa has laid a commemorative wreath for more than six years at the Warsaw monument. The attached plaque accuses Lech Kaczyński of ignoring procedures and ordering a landing in extremely difficult conditions, and refers to the 95 victims of the crash.

Earlier dispute

The Wednesday ruling is not the first in the legal dispute between the activist and Jarosław Kaczyński. In August 2025, the Sąd Rejonowy dla Warszawy Śródmieścia discontinued proceedings in a case Komosa had brought against the PiS leader, which concerned infringement of bodily integrity. The ruling of 28 October 2026 is not final.