A member of parliament from Law and Justice reported to police that a vehicle struck him, an incident he described as the outcome of hostility toward him and his party by a KOD activist. MP Piotr Kaleta spoke with PAP on Tuesday, framing the event as a direct consequence of political animosity and the heated climate surrounding his party.
The confrontation unfolded Monday evening on a street in Kalisz after Kaleta noticed that several of his campaign posters had been torn down over successive days. To verify who was responsible, he decided to investigate the situation personally, keeping pace with the unfolding developments and the public interest in local political campaigns.
By yesterday, the MP had identified the person who removed the posters, stating that the individual was an activist connected to the Kalisz KOD movement. He added that the action appeared deliberate and targeted, emphasizing the perceived intent behind the vandalism.
“He acted with intent,” Kaleta reiterated, describing the incident as highly distressing. He said the car struck him with enough force to knock him to the ground and then fled the scene, complicating the immediate response and raising questions about accountability.
Kaleta sought medical attention at a local hospital and later filed a report with law enforcement. He noted that video footage from the site provides clear evidence of the driver’s conduct and behavior, reinforcing the narrative of a planned or purposeful act rather than a random incident.
“The Hate Effect”
In Kaleta’s view, the episode reflected hostility directed at him personally and at the Law and Justice party as a whole. He argued that this kind of hostility has permeated public discourse and threatens the safety of political figures who advocate for their views in a crowded public arena. He also indicated that he had not previously experienced anything of this nature in his long political career.
“An 81-year-old man was arrested”
Officials from the Kalisz Police Department confirmed that an 81-year-old man has been charged with assault and making criminal threats against the Law and Justice MP. The police spokesperson, Anna Jaworska-Wojnicz, stated that investigators acted on the evidence collected at the scene and subsequently detained the suspect for further processing.
Authorities noted that the case involves related proceedings concerning the reported destruction of election posters as part of the broader investigation. Investigators continue gathering materials, reviewing footage, and assessing the full scope of both the assault and the vandalism allegations to determine what happened and why.
Overall, the unfolding situation has prompted discussions about the level of political violence, safety for public figures, and the responsibilities of activists and supporters during election campaigns. Analysts and observers have urged careful, evidence-based handling of the case to ensure accountability while preserving the integrity of local political contests.