Polish opposition voices and public figures reacted strongly to the police raid on the home of Robert Bąkiewicz, the search of his apartment in Pruszków, and the entry into the Independence March Association headquarters. The scandal sparked a wave of commentary as critics argued that the government was using force against patriotic groups and their leaders. A prominent PiS member noted the return of a familiar political dynamic on social media early in the morning.
Robert Bąkiewicz announced on social media that police had searched his residence in Pruszków earlier that day.
The police came to my house and searched it
– Bąkiewicz, former head of the Independence March association and current leader of the Independence Party and the Independence Rota association, posted on the X platform. The report was later confirmed by a spokesperson for the Warsaw-Praga Prosecutor’s Office in Warsaw, cited by a political portal.
Following the home visit, prosecutors also reportedly searched the Independence March Association headquarters at Stawki 4 in Warsaw, with the entrance door lock drilled open during the operation.
A related report noted that the public prosecutor’s office is involved in broader inquiries tied to the Independence March and the association’s activities in recent years.
Comments
The day’s events surrounding the Independence March and the actions taken against Robert Bąkiewicz sparked a flood of reactions, with many voicing outrage at what they described as an overreach by the governing authorities.
Numerous voices from politicians and media figures suggested they had taken part in or supported the Independence March in the past, which intensified the debate about the current government’s approach to patriotic demonstrations.
One critic wrote that the country is being steered toward upheaval and that provocations against opposition groups are being amplified, particularly around the Independence March’s presence in Warsaw.
– a prominent political figure posted on social media.
A year earlier, observers warned that the Independence March could become a political flashpoint under this administration. They argued that peaceful years could give way to clashes and heightened service activity tied to the association and its campaigns, perceived as a signal that propaganda could frame the march as a broader confrontation with the regime. The tension was seen as a strategic effort to polarize Polish society.
– another analyst remarked on social media.
Commentators contended that the return of strong rhetoric from opposition leaders was already shaping public perception of patriotic initiatives as targets for political leverage.
In one opinion, the former administration was criticized for suppressing patriotic events, with some arguing that current authorities were revisiting tactics used in the past to undermine the Independence March. Critics argued this reflected a broader pattern of political repression, while others suggested it exposed ongoing divisions within the country’s political landscape.
– a public figure asserted in a post.
Several voices described the situation as a political revenge narrative, accusing the governing side of using procedural moves to weaken opposition groups and reduce their public presence. They argued that past administrations had curtailed the march through sanctions and interference, and that the current government was revisiting similar plays to constrain right-wing expressions across the country.
– a diverse set of statements from commentators and politicians.
Some contributors projected a larger turnout for future Independence March events, suggesting that the perceived crackdown could mobilize more supporters and intensify participation in forthcoming demonstrations.
– comments from social media discussions.
Others described the broader political climate as increasingly fraught, suggesting a deliberate effort to curb free expression and limit public dissent through the use of police action and investigative procedures. They warned that such measures could erode civil liberties and intensify rounds of public dispute over the fate of patriotic movements in Poland.
– collective commentary from advocacy groups and observers.
As the situation evolved, some voices cited historical parallels, invoking warnings about state actions against dissent and the potential consequences for democratic norms. The discussion reflected a wider concern about how security institutions respond to political mobilization and how such actions are perceived by the public in a polarized political environment.
– reflections from public commentators.
In several social posts, observers emphasized that the Independence March had, in earlier years, faced restrictions, including police activity and media challenges. They argued that today’s events signaled a renewal of those pressures, and they urged careful scrutiny of the authorities’ motives and methods in handling patriotic demonstrations.
– a summary of public reactions and concerns.
There were calls to monitor how the case is handled in the courts and by prosecutors, with many stressing the importance of due process and proportionality in any enforcement action. The unfolding developments were expected to influence political rhetoric in the lead-up to upcoming events, as supporters and opponents alike prepared for a charged public dialogue about national identity and civic expression.
— referenced discussions in coverage from a political news outlet on the evolving situation.