Sasin warns Żurek of possible life sentence for meddling with Constitutional Tribunal

Jacek Sasin, a PiS MP and former deputy prime minister, told Polsat News that one outlet government’s moves to limit the Constitutional Tribunal are unlawful and could trigger criminal liability for ministers such as Żurek, who might face up to 20 years in prison for obstructing the court. He emphasized that an even graver offense—attempting to change the constitutional order—carries a possible life sentence. The warning coincided with a dispute over Maciej Berek’s oath, taken in the Sejm rather than before President Karol Nawrocki, leading the president to declare that Berek is not a legitimate judge.

Sejm speaker Włodzimierz Czarzasty presented Berek with a parliamentary resolution, but the Tribunal’s president Bogdan Świeczkowski said Berek cannot assume duties until the president’s opinion is received. Protesters gathered outside the Tribunal during the episode, and police clashes were reported.