{“title”:”Mariusz Kamiński and Maciej Wąsik Controversy and Parliamentary Outcomes”}

Mariusz Kamiński and Maciej Wąsik faced corruption charges, while those who contributed to the current situation are now defending those who broke the law, according to Mariusz Błaszczak, head of the PiS parliamentary club, during a press conference in the Sejm. The Sejm Speaker, Szymon Hołownia, commented on Kamiński’s conduct in the Chamber.

Two days ago, the District Court in Warsaw handed down a final sentence of two years in prison for Mariusz Kamiński and Maciej Wąsik, and one year for two other former CBA leaders in connection with their actions during the so-called land scandal. The court ruling marked the end of the case at the first instance level.

Błaszczak Defends Kamiński and Wąsik

On the following day, the Marshal of the Sejm, Szymon Hołownia, decided to terminate the parliamentary mandates of Kamiński and Wąsik. In a Sejm press briefing, Błaszczak argued that ministers Kamiński and Wąsik had fought corruption, while those who created today’s problems were defending criminals and obstructing police efforts to investigate corruption. He claimed that their objective included dissolving the Central Anti-Corruption Bureau, a move he viewed as revealing their improper intent.

The discussion recalled the broader context: in 2015, the state budget suffered substantial losses due to a VAT carousel, losses that stemmed in part from a failure of institutions created to combat corruption to function effectively. According to Błaszczak, current efforts seemed aimed at paralyzing the CBA and punishing those who had fought corruption.

When asked about possible steps Wąsik and Kamiński might take, the PiS club leader replied that any appropriate actions would be pursued, presenting his stance as clear and principled.

The case involving the CBA leadership spans nearly a decade. In March 2015, the Warsaw-Śródmieście District Court sentenced Kamiński, Wąsik, and two other CBA board members for exceeding powers and engaging in illegal operational activities during the 2007 land scandal. Kamiński appealed, arguing that the verdict violated the sense of justice and was unjust and incomprehensible.

The matter resurfaced after more than eight years following a Supreme Court ruling in June. The Supreme Court’s Criminal Chamber paused the case and sent it back for re-examination after appeals by assistant prosecutors, noting a pardon law applied by President Andrzej Duda that had affected the earlier conviction of the former CBA heads.

President Duda previously indicated in a letter to the Sejm Speaker that the pardon law applied to Kamiński and Wąsik meant there were no grounds to expiry their mandates. This assertion was central to ongoing political arguments about the legitimacy of their seats.

Hołownia on Kamiński’s Kozakiewicz Gesture

Hołownia criticized the incident at the Sejm plenary, describing the moment when Kamiński made a gesture and stood near the prison gates as inappropriate for parliamentary decorum. He acknowledged that Kamiński might have reacted emotionally given the circumstances but emphasized that such behavior should not be tolerated in the chamber.

He noted that Kamiński and Wąsik had not yet responded to his letter and that his disappointment extended to their presence during the session. Hołownia characterized the gesture as a form of demonstration, while also stressing the need to avoid escalation.

During the session, Kamiński turned his seat into a platform of triumph, displaying the gesture in question. Hołownia reiterated that parliamentary customs forbid such conduct in the chamber, even as he understood the human factors at play in intense moments.

Hołownia added that he expected PiS MPs to file complaints regarding the decision to end their mandates, noting that any such action would likely be reviewed by the Supreme Court after the holidays. He vowed to handle the matter with care, ensuring decisive and clear communication in the process.

When asked whether votes in which Kamiński and Wąsik participated remained valid after their mandates had expired, Hołownia indicated that a substantial debate could ensue. He stressed that the votes were not decided by slim margins but reflected broader majorities and that legal professionals were involved due to the precedent-setting nature of the issue.

“My Hand Won’t Shake”

Hołownia underscored that excluding delegates from the meeting or removing them by force would not help stabilize the political landscape. He asserted that all measures would adhere to the law and that he would not waver in applying consequences that legally remove parliamentarians’ mandates when necessary.

The history of the CBA leadership case shows a long arc. In March 2015, the initial Warsaw court found Kamiński, Wąsik, and two other board members guilty of exceeding powers and illegal operational activities tied to the 2007 land scandal. Kamiński’s response to the verdict described it as unjust and incomprehensible. The case was revived after the Supreme Court’s June ruling, which paused proceedings and directed a re-examination in light of the pardon law applied by President Duda. The president’s position previously indicated that, because of the pardon, there were no grounds to end the defendants’ mandates.

Additional related coverage includes statements from political figures and developments about later appeals and potential actions in higher courts. These developments continue to shape discussions on accountability and parliamentary procedure. (Source: wPolityce) Read also: coverage on Hołownia’s decision and its implications for the Sejm, and ongoing debates around the pardon and its impact on the mandates of Kamiński and Wąsik. (Source: wPolityce)