Complaints against TV Republika

Interior Minister Marcin Kierwiński filed notifications with prosecutors on Monday, 19 October, concerning TV Republika, its president Tomasz Sakiewicz and other journalists working for the station. He made the filing public on X on Tuesday, 20 October, writing that the journalists would answer before a court for how they had incited against police officers and insulted their uniform. According to the minister, the notifications cover suspected defamation and insults toward officers, calls to stop performing official duties, calls to disclose the private lives of officers, and attempts to influence official actions. On Friday, 16 October, Kierwiński had already announced legal steps over what he described as growing aggression toward police.

“Anyone who insults an officer, tries to pressure him or uses violence against an officer will sooner or later end up in court.”

Kierwiński also said some procedural steps were not being taken at once, in order not to escalate the situation in front of the Constitutional Tribunal.

Attack on a policewoman at the Tribunal

Right-wing groups have been protesting outside the seat of the Constitutional Tribunal over a political dispute surrounding the court. During one of the demonstrations a policewoman was attacked and injured, and she was taken to hospital. A search of a detained man revealed a knife in his pocket. Kierwiński's notifications and the statements from police leadership were issued against the backdrop of these protests and the reactions they provoked online.

Prosecutor General and police leadership respond

On Tuesday, 20 October, Prosecutor General Waldemar Żurek wrote on X that he had asked the National Prosecutor to give prosecutors clear guidance. Under that guidance, prosecutors should consider joining cases when a police officer is insulted or defamed online, particularly when the content publishes the officer's image and name and reaches a large audience. He wrote that state institutions must be ready for criticism, but that this cannot mean tolerating brutal humiliation of officers in front of millions of viewers who were acting lawfully.

“The state must stand on the side of an officer who performs his duties for the safety of citizens.”

On Monday, 19 October, national police commander Marek Boroń wrote a letter to police officers, saying online hatred toward officers had prompted him to speak up. He stated that an officer in uniform has the right to respect, protection of dignity and a good name.

“Especially moving to me is the situation of a policewoman who, while performing her official duties, became the target of vulgar insults and public humiliation.”

Kierwiński said on X that he agreed with Boroń's words and fully supported the actions of the police.

Timeline of the dispute

The sequence runs from Friday, 16 October, when Kierwiński announced legal steps, to Tuesday, 20 October, when he publicised the filing and Żurek asked for prosecutorial guidance.