Sopiński says justice academy takeover tests limits of unlawful government action

Michał Sopiński told Radia Maryja that the attempted takeover of the Akademia Wymiaru Sprawiedliwości serves as a rehearsal for potential actions targeting the Trybunał Konstytucyjny. He said the authoritarian government is probing how far it can push illegal measures, noting that Justice Minister Waldemar Żurek, acting via Sławomir Cudak and Deputy Minister Maria Ejchart, is testing whether a rector can be removed without proper legal notice.

Sopiński warned that if the minister can enforce such a dismissal at the academy, the same approach could be used against any Polish citizen. He described the incident at the academy as chaotic, with staff locking themselves in a toilet, calling an ambulance without cause, and confronting journalists with insults. The ministry later announced that Sopiński’s removal was final, citing procedural violations and political bias, and appointed Cudak as acting rector, though Cudak was blocked from entering the building by police.