More than half a year has passed since Fr. Michał Olszewski and two MS officials were arrested. Detaining people in prison until their guilt is determined is an exceptional measure and is only used if a trial cannot otherwise take place. Meanwhile, Fr. Olszewski is suspected of the fact that his foundation during the time of Z. Ziobro “did not comply with the conditions of the competition organized by the Ministry of Justice”, and the officials are suspected of improperly directing the competition.
During the first 60 hours after the arrest of Fr. Olszewski and the officials arrested with him were deliberately tortured and humiliated in a way that is considered torture by international treaties: isolation, more intensive checks, cameras in cells and turning on the lights every hour (source: Onet). Current Attorney General Adam Bodnar, when he was civil rights ombudsman, was outraged by the use of so-called handcuffs on the child’s killer. Today, he does not suffer from this kind of intimidation towards Fr. Olszewski and two women, Mrs. Urszula and Mrs. Karolina. “Regardless of the actions of the public prosecutor’s office and the prison system, a smear campaign is being organized against the detainees. They are presented as corrupt people, even though during the investigation there was not even any misappropriation of material benefits, let alone evidence.”
I have taken the liberty of starting this letter with quotes from the call that I signed a few days ago together with Jerzy Kalina, Antoni Libera, Lech Majewski, Jan Polkowski, Wawrzyniec Rymkiewicz and Bronisław Wildstein. The appeal, which was read seriously by some and ridiculed by others, was addressed in general: to the citizens of the Republic of Poland. I take the liberty of repeating it and discussing it this time, only in my own name, specifically – in the hope that perhaps thanks to this it will have some practical effect in alleviating the plight of three people.
I’m sending it to four authorities. Unfortunately, in a situation of such deep division as exists today among us, the citizens of the Republic of Poland, there no longer seem to be any universally respected and recognized authorities. That is why I make this appeal to the four undisputed authorities of that part of Polish public opinion that supports the current parliamentary majority and its elected government. Because this government and the Minister of Justice, who oversees the work of prosecutors, have decisions on the fate of three prisoners in their hands.
Editor Michnik
As an experienced prisoner, editor Adam Michnik knows well that the easiest way is to prosecute, with apparently minor intimidation, people without “big names” who are not mentioned by the world media. Supporting the weak seems an obvious moral obligation. Especially because it does not concern criminals or people suspected of crimes, pedophilia, murder or large-scale corruption (as was the case, for example, with former minister Sławomir N., who was also in pre-trial detention during the previous hearing). government), but about people whose detention without punishment is intended, if I’m not mistaken, to force them to testify against other, more politically important figures from the former Ministry of Justice. Since I have used the word moral imperative, it is worth recalling its old definition: man can never be treated as a means. But here, those held in what is called in prison jargon ‘expulsion detention’ are treated precisely as a resource, without the slightest regard for their individual dignity, the fact that they have names, families and loved ones waiting for those in need of help. them.
Perhaps I am wrong in my legal assessment of this situation, because I am not a lawyer, but I dare to ask Professors Adam Strzembosz, Andrzej Zoll and Ewa Łętowska whether, in their opinion, the harassment of the three people mentioned in this article are mentioned, a letter with intimidation in prison is justified? And isn’t it, to use Professor Łętowska’s expression about the ‘wavering of jurisprudence’, worth taking a leap like Mondo Duplantis, but beyond the political division, by simply putting three undoubtedly suffering people in to look at the face? People whose guilt has not yet been decided by any court. Can you help these three PEOPLE and appeal more effectively than me or, for example, the 25,000 people who have complained about this to the Ombudsman? Apply for release from pre-trial detention and possibly have another investigation carried out?
I pay my respects and hope for help
Andrzej Nowak, Krakow, 13X 24
Source: wPolityce
Emma Matthew is a political analyst for “Social Bites”. With a keen understanding of the inner workings of government and a passion for politics, she provides insightful and informative coverage of the latest political developments.