Facing suspicions of a crime, the Polish deputy Grzegorz Braun, associated with Confederation, filed a request with the National Public Prosecutor’s Office. The submission came through Jacek Cichocki, the head of the Sejm Chancellery. The matter centers on an incident during Hanukkah menorah lighting in the Sejm when Braun used a fire extinguisher around burning candles.
The Sejm Chancellery chief requests action from prosecutors
On Tuesday, December 12, a menorah lighting ceremony was held in the Sejm to mark Hanukkah. During the event, Braun took a powder fire extinguisher and directed its spray at the flames and at a participant in the ceremony, reportedly a named individual. A formal notice, signed by Jacek Cichocki, stated that Braun interrupted the ceremony and acted in a way that drew scrutiny and concern.
The notice from the Chancellery asserted that Braun violated Sejm rules, prompting the Presidium of the Sejm to award a penalty reducing his salary. In addition, the document claimed Braun engaged in acts affecting freedom of conscience and religion, as well as personal safety and the general security of the proceedings.
Video footage from the Marshal’s Guard captured the event. Upon request from the Public Prosecution Service, the Marshal’s Guard will provide the surveillance material to authorities.
The briefing summarized three key points on the Sejm’s official profile: a disruption caused by Mr. Braun; a grave breach of peace and order; and conduct that could be classified as a crime against freedom of conscience and religion.
The full text of the notification was made available through the Sejm leadership channels, detailing the sequence and concerns raised by the incident.
Braun’s response to the controversy
In remarks made from the Sejm rostrum, Braun characterized the reactions as motivated by racism and hostility toward his stance. He claimed his act aimed to restore normality and balance by halting what he described as acts of forceful, ideological triumphalism.
Disciplinary action and formal consequences
The incident provoked a strong reaction from the Marshal, who publicly criticized Braun and suspended him from attending the meeting. The Presidium of the Sejm confirmed penalties including a salary reduction for three months and a complete halt of allowances for six months. The Presidium also authorized the Chancellery to file formal notifications with the Prosecutor’s Office.
Officials stressed that anti-Semitism, racism, and aggression have no place in the Parliament. The sanctions were framed as a clear statement that such behavior would not be tolerated across political lines.
Following the developments, commentators noted the incident elicited widespread media attention and sparked debate among several Polish political figures. Braun, a member of the Confederation, has held his seat since 2019 and has been a consistent participant in parliamentary debates.
The situation has been described as a public episode that raises questions about decorum, security, and the responsibilities of elected representatives during official proceedings.
Overall, the sequence of events highlights how parliamentary bodies respond to disruptive conduct, the role of surveillance and documentation in investigations, and the procedures that determine sanctions and potential criminal inquiries.
Source material detailing the event has circulated through multiple outlets and was compiled from official Sejm communications and subsequent media coverage. The developments continue to be a focal point in political reporting across the country.