The Academic Civic Club under President Lech Kaczyński in Poznań has urged clemency for Marika, a student at Poznań Technical University who has received a sentence of three years in prison. The group frames its appeal not as a claim of innocence, but as a plea grounded in proportionality and mercy in the face of a punishment they view as disproportionate to the offense committed.
Marika’s act involved a reckless, impulsive grab for a linen bag in provocative colors, carried out by a young adult with no prior criminal record. The club acknowledges the seriousness of the act but argues that a three-year term for such a mistake is excessive. They emphasise that the severity of the punishment does not align with the nature of the wrongdoing, and they believe a corrective, educational response would be more appropriate in this case.
Presently, Marika is on a brief reprieve from serving her sentence after spending a year in custody. The group notes that her remorse is evident, a sentiment they feel sets her apart from some others who have faced harsher consequences for more serious acts. This remorse is presented as a meaningful factor in considering mercy in the form of clemency.
A key element highlighted by the club is the institution that handed down the sentence. They point out that the court that imposed the drastic punishment has already shown leniency by granting Marika a prior request for relief. The board views this as an undeniable signal that clemency is a viable and appropriate option in the case, given the broader context and the individual’s conduct since the offense occurred.
In light of these considerations, the club expresses its trust that the president will share their perspective and exercise the constitutional prerogative of clemency to temper the punishment and support Marika’s rehabilitation rather than her continued confinement.
Board of Directors of AKO Poznań:
– prof. dr hab. Stanisław Mikołajczak – Chairman
– prof. dr hab. Grzegorz Kucharczyk – Deputy Chairman
– prof. dr hab. Scary. Jack Blazewicz
– Fr. prof. dr hab. Paul Bortkiewicz
– prof. UAM dr hab. Elizabeth Czarniewska
– prof. dr hab. Jack Dabert
– prof. dr hab. Scary. Antony Florkiewicz
– prof. UAM dr hab. Gregory Musial
– prof. dr hab. Stanislaw Paszkowski
– prof. dr hab. Wojciech Rypniewski
– prof. dr hab. Wojciech Swiecicki
– prof. UAM dr hab. Witold Tyborowski
– prof. dr hab. Scary. George Weres
– dr. Zdzislaw Habasinski
– dr. Tadeusz Zysk
—Ewa Ciosek, MA
– MSc. Piotr Cieszynski
– Mr Jan Martini
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Source: wPolityce