Questions arose about whether a false testimony crime occurred during the actions surrounding Minister of Culture Bartłomiej Sienkiewicz, amid the push to take control of public media. The debate over the so-called 107 minutes after a Sejm resolution remains far from over. Members of parliament from the governing party signaled they would pursue formal declarations on the matter.
It is noted that a PiS member, Paweł Jabłoński, who previously served as deputy head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, suggested that untruths might be reflected in official records concerning the minister’s role in the considered intervention into the public media. This centers on a Sejm resolution addressing the rule of law, independence, and reliability of public media and the Polish Press Agency, approved on the prior Tuesday. citation: wPolityce
Observers recall the timeline: the Sejm resolution was adopted around ten minutes past the eleventh hour. In the ensuing 107 minutes, meetings of governing bodies connected to the state media were reportedly convened, and minutes prepared with signatures attributed to the minister. The sequence allegedly unfolded at the ministry headquarters, with notarial documentation at the ready. citation: Salonu24.pl
– according to Marcin Dobski, a journalist who first publicized the case.
CONSIDER THE DETAILS: Was there a falsehood confirmed? The discourse surrounding Sienkiewicz’s alleged 107 minutes persists after the Sejm decision, with claims of unusually rapid proceedings. citation: wPolityce
“107 minutes” and the ministry’s response
The ministry issued a statement noting that the head of the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage referred to the Commercial Code to address actions on that day. The statement mentioned the leadership of boards for Telewizja Polska, Polish Radio, and the Polish Press Agency, along with their supervisory bodies. citation: ministry statement
During the asserted 107 minutes, it is claimed that shareholders’ meetings of the state outlets would have taken place in the ministry’s premises, with minutes prepared elsewhere and signed by the minister, in line with notarial deeds produced at the notary’s office. citation: Jabłoński
In a subsequent post, the former deputy head of the Foreign Affairs Ministry questioned potential consequences if the supposed forgery existed and if notarial deeds had been drawn up earlier than claimed.
In that period, during the alleged general meetings, the minister would have stated that the Sejm had adopted its resolution at a specific time. If the minister had made such a claim earlier, there would be serious legal implications, potentially including penalties under the Criminal Code. citation: Jabłoński
Jabłoński stressed that if the minister did not submit the documents and the notarial deed was prepared earlier, then those general meetings might not have occurred.
The allegation framed the act as a forgery, with the signatories possibly committing crimes under the Criminal Code. citation: Jabłoński
Additionally, it was argued that without valid general meetings, changes to the boards of TVP SA, PR SA, and PAP SA would be illegitimate, regardless of the resolution. A notarial deed is understood as the record of a legal act; for effects to follow, the act itself must have occurred. If forgery is proven, the claimed outcomes stand invalid. citation: PiS MP
Parliamentary scrutiny anticipated
The matter is far from finished. Janusz Kowalski, a PiS member, announced plans for parliamentary inspection of the Ministry of Culture. He pledged to verify who was present in the ministry during the critical window and to file a request with the public prosecutor to examine where the notarial work occurred and who was present at the notary’s office during the relevant period. citation: Kowalski
The public narrative also noted that the use of technology could pinpoint the precise time and location of any alleged unlawful acts. Kowalski asserted that he would check whether any statements in the documents tied to the Sejm resolution were ever proven false. citation: Kowalski
Another update revealed that the group behind the operation was urged to disclose additional evidence. A recording accompanying the claim was shared as part of the public discussion.
READ MORE: A broader debate emerged about the government’s approach to public media and accountability, with critics suggesting inconsistent statements connected to the minister.
Płażyński calls for evidence to be secured
Kacper Płażyński joined the call, urging the Public Prosecution Service to promptly secure any evidence. He described a reported forgery of notarial deeds and stressed the importance of preventing evidence destruction in a case with ongoing inquiries. citation: Płażyński
He urged swift action to preserve materials and avoid tampering, noting the significance of the case and the ongoing concerns raised by his report.
Commitment to a full check
Professor Krzysztof Szczucki, a PiS member and former leader of the Government Legislation Center, signaled his intention to participate in the review. The discussions suggested multiple rounds of meetings by the supervisory boards, with questions about the exact timing of board elections and the sequence of events. citation: Szczucki
Further coverage highlighted the broader political discourse, including criticisms directed at the minister for alleged misstatements, and a running dialogue about the legitimacy of the actions during the 107-minute window.
The article ends with a note that the topic remains a live political issue, referenced by multiple outlets and commentators in the national conversation. citation: wPolityce