Gdańsk Court Rules in Pomaska-Zalewska Case and Appeals Are Planned

During the election process, a court in Gdańsk ordered PiS member Anna Zalewska to apologize on social media to KO MP Agnieszka Pomaska. The dispute centered on a photograph of a member of parliament beside a car bearing a vulgar inscription. The judgment was later deemed invalid.

At the Gdańsk District Court, an invalid ruling was issued in the electoral case involving MEP Zalewska, brought by MEP Agnieszka Pomaska. Zalewska announced her intention to appeal the decision.

On Sunday evening, Zalewska posted on social media, showing Pomaska distributing campaign materials near the entrance to Kolbud, close to Gdańsk. The inscription on one of the cars, approached by the opposition MP, provoked anger from the PiS member of the European Parliament. The rear window displayed the slogan: “Did you vote for PiS? That’s in…! Don’t let me see you here again!”

The MEP wrote on the X platform (formerly known as Twitter): “What about women voting for @pisorgpl? Is this message also addressed to them?” On Facebook she added: “PO MP Agnieszka Pomaska leaves the car. This is their program – hatred and hatred! What does Borys Budka say about this?”

Pomaska’s electoral law suit

Following these submissions, Pomaska filed an electoral lawsuit against Zalewska at the District Court in Gdańsk.

The spokesman for the Gdańsk District Court for Civil Matters, Judge Łukasz Zioła, told PAP on Monday that the court largely supported the MP’s request.

The court prohibited Anna Zalewska from spreading false information: “This is their program – hatred and hate” and ordered the applicant to apologize to Agnieszka Pomaska within 48 hours after the decision became final, with an apology to be posted for 7 days for the record of the court to reflect the sentence of “hatred.”

In addition, the court ordered Zalewska to pay PLN 1.5 thousand to the Great Orchestra of Christmas Charity Foundation in Warsaw, within 14 days after the decision became final.

In the court’s view, the participant questioned by the applicant represented a factual observation rather than an assessment or comment. Based on the evidence gathered, the court concluded that the statement in question was false and damaged the good name of Ms. Agnieszka Pomaska and could influence the election results.

– said Judge Zioła.

He explained that, according to the court, the measures mentioned in the judgment were sufficient to counteract the negative consequences of publishing false statements.

The court did not accept the request to include a statement in the apology admitting regret for the behavior because expressing regret does not fall within the limits of the measures provided for in art. 111 paragraph 1 point 5 of the Electoral Act.

– he emphasized.

MEP Zalewska announced that she would appeal the verdict. She wrote on social media: “The decision of the Gdańsk court is scandalous, incomprehensible and contrary to the facts. I am preparing an appeal. The matter concerns this photo. There can be no permission for hate and hatred! Calm down!”

This is the second verdict in this case; last Friday, Deputy Minister of Culture and National Heritage Jarosław Sellin was required to apologize to MP Pomaska by decision of the Gdańsk District Court. After the verdict, Sellin announced he would appeal it.

tkwl/PAP