A 24-year-old activist from Poznań was sentenced to three years in prison for allegedly stealing a rainbow bag. The Attorney General, Justice Minister Zbigniew Ziobro, granted a request to suspend the sentence and announced plans to file an extraordinary complaint with the Supreme Court. Online commentators expressed strong outrage, noting that Katarzyna Augustynek, known as Grandma Kasia, has previously faced criticism for her provocative actions, which some view as less serious than this case.
A young activist in prison
It is recalled that Minister Ziobro announced he had accepted the request to pause Marika’s sentence, noting she had already spent a year in detention. He stated that the person would be released and is awaiting a presidential decision on a potential pardon.
The offense cited occurred in August 2020 in Poznań during a demonstration organized by LGBT groups. According to the Ordo Iuris Institute, which defends those convicted, the activist, along with three others, allegedly tried to seize a bag bearing the logo of the LGBT movement as a gesture of defiance against the promotion of certain ideologies; this was described as an attempted robbery, resulting in a three-year prison sentence for the accused.
The Attorney General argued that the Marika decision contrasts with how some LGBT activists and left-wing figures facing similar or more aggressive conduct are treated, often acquitted or given only symbolic penalties. Ziobro added that he responds to public abuses and legal violations, and he indicated that an extraordinary complaint would be filed with the Supreme Court and that personnel actions would follow regarding the prosecution, along with potential consequences for the judiciary.
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“Three years for attempting to steal a rainbow bag?” Internet users asked, voicing concern over the severity of the sentence.
Grandma Kasia’s antics with impunity
Twitter users questioned how Marika could be sentenced to three years for taking a rainbow bag while Katarzyna Augustynek, popularly known as Grandma Kasia for her provocative humor, appeared to escape similar accountability for her actions. Some drew parallels to the cases of other LGBT activists who have sparked controversy, including Michał Szutowicz.
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“Is there no limit?” the social media chatter speculated as Augustynek publicly challenged political leaders with provocative remarks.
The question lingered: if a person can receive a three-year sentence for a bag, what would be the penalty for more violent acts in public spaces?
– a user called Brat Chief wondered aloud.
Some comments attempted to clarify the public confusion. They argued that while stealing a bag is a crime, the severity of sentences should reflect the circumstances and the nature of the act, and not be used as a tool for political theater. The debate touched on how laws are applied in demonstrations involving political and social activism.
Does a case involving property损 theft justify the likely harsher penalties being discussed in public forums? Some observers suggested a broader discussion about consistency in legal outcomes across similar cases.
In the broader conversation, other cases were cited to illustrate issues of proportionality and accountability in the courts, emphasizing that the legal process should be fair and not influenced by public opinion or political pressure.
The public discourse also raised questions about how different groups are treated by the justice system when protests involve public figures or high-profile activists. The discussion continued across social platforms and commentary columns, reflecting ongoing tensions around political activism, law enforcement, and judicial decision-making.
Source: wPolityce