Polish police deployed to top court after head judge suspended

What the report says

Polish police were deployed outside the Constitutional Tribunal in Warsaw on Friday after crowds gathered to oppose the suspension of its president, Bogdan Swieczkowski. According to Al Jazeera, officers entered the court area after clashes outside the building, including incidents in which objects were thrown at police. Authorities said three people were detained after what they described as dangerous projectiles being launched from the crowd.

Swieczkowski’s suspension is tied to a broader dispute over the tribunal’s role and legitimacy, which has intensified for years amid accusations that Poland’s courts were politicised under the former Law and Justice (PiS) government. Al Jazeera reported that over the past six months, Swieczkowski had used his position to block judges chosen by the current parliamentary majority from taking up their posts. Justice Minister Waldemar Zurek said he had sought to strip Swieczkowski and his deputy of immunity over claims they failed to allow judges to do their work.

Prime Minister Donald Tusk said the government had a duty to restore the rule of law, while PiS politicians condemned the move. President Karol Nawrocki, who is aligned with PiS, also responded by cutting short a trip abroad, saying he should be in Poland at such a moment. The episode highlights the continuing struggle over judicial reform in Poland and the wider political conflict between the pro-European government and the opposition.