Freedom of expression means responsibility for the word, President Krystian Kinastowski said in Kalisz court on Thursday. The mayor accused the activist of the Citizens of the Republic of Poland of spreading false information that damages the good name of the city.
The case concerns the events that took place on November 14, 2021 in Kalisz. On that day, the residents of Kalisz organized a rally under the slogan “Kalisz free from fascism”. It was in response to the events of November 11, when a reprint of the 13th-century Statute of Kalisz, a tolerant privilege for Jews, was burned in the city during an anti-Semitic rally.
One of the speakers at the march was Katarzyna Urbaniak from the Citizens of the Republic of Poland. During her speech, she turned to the president of Kalisz and shouted:
Mr. President, it is high time you stopped funding ONR and All-Polish youth events.
Krystian Kinastowski, the mayor of Kalisz, was clearly surprised by the accusation against him. He denied this information and announced, “This lady will have to apologize for these words.”
We undertook mediation, an attempt to resolve the matter amicably, we wanted the defendant to correct or apologise. We suggested that she speak at a city council meeting
Kinastowski told the court.
He explained that the defendant’s lack of consent caused the case to end up in a civil trial in court.
The defendant was charged with violating personal rights in the form of exposing the city and the office of the president to loss of reputation in the public eye.
Kalisz is a city where freedom of expression exists, as evidenced by several events. But freedom of expression is also responsibility for expression
said the chairman.
According to him, false words were spoken during the meeting, which offended all residents of Kalisz.
The verdicts are false as there was no funding for ONR and All-Polish Youth and events organized by these organizations
he said.
According to the president, such accusations could make the city less attractive to tourists.
It is difficult to estimate the damage, but the words were spoken at a public gathering. They were voiced by a person who performs on several marches, is a public figure and used her authority when she said this
– he said.
According to the suspect, information is common in Kalisz that members of the Kaliscy Patriots Association are extreme nationalists. The Wolf Trail Run organized by them on the occasion of the National Commemoration of the Cursed Soldiers is funded by the city.
The organizer of the first edition of the loop is a member of ONR, the former spokesman for Kaliskie Patriots is also a member of ONR. I saw the reliance of the Kalisz Patriots on ONR and All-Polish youth, they called themselves friends. While participating in the run, they officially wear ONR bracelets and proclaim the slogan “Poland for Poland”
Defendant testified in court.
During the explanations, it turned out that the defendant was referring to information published on social networks in 2018, i.e. before President Kinastowski’s term of office.
It is clear to me that the members of the Kalisz Patriots are members of the ONR and the All-Polish Youth – which is why I came to this conclusion
– she said.
She emphasized that since the city supports the Kalisz Patriots, it also indirectly supports the other two organizations.
“Foggy Accusations”
According to the president, the defendant has in no way proven the credibility of her statement during the march.
Her accusations are very vague. It is not known if she lied or unconsciously repeated the untruth
Kinastowski said in an interview with PAP.
The city demanded an apology, the defendant rejected the claim in its entirety. The verdict in this case will be handed down on May 11 of this year.
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mly/PAP
Source: wPolityce