Polish police arrest MPs in presidential palace - BBC News

Mariusz Kaminski and Maciej Wasik were sentenced to two years in prison for abuse of power.

2 hours agoShareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingImage source, Omar Marques/Anadolu via Getty ImagesImage caption, Protesters gathered outside the presidential palace and police headquarters after the two MPs were detainedBy Adam EastonBBC News, WarsawPolish police have arrested the former interior minister and deputy interior minister inside the presidential palace in Warsaw in a day of unprecedented political theatre.

Mariusz Kaminski and Maciej Wasik were sentenced to two years' jail last month for abuse of power when they led an anti-corruption office in 2007.

Following the arrests, the new interior minister Marcin Kierwinski wrote on X: "Everyone is equal before the law."

The arrests highlight the political turmoil between the Law and Justice (PiS) party and the new pro-EU coalition.

The men, who were elected PiS MPs in October, refused to recognise last month's court decision because President Andrzej Duda, a PiS ally, pardoned them for the crime in 2015. Mr Duda has also said he does not recognise the court's ruling because he insists his pardon remains valid.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-67929549?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=KARANGA

---