Riot police guard Poland's constitutional court after freeze
Three people were detained after trying to enter the court, deepening the clash between Tusk's government and the PiS camp.
Riot police were deployed around the building of Poland's Constitutional Court on Friday (30/10) after the freezing of Chief Justice Bogdan Swieczkowski sparked a protest by supporters of the right-wing opposition Law and Justice (PiS). Dozens of officers guarded the entrance as demonstrators shouted criticism of Prime Minister Donald Tusk's government. Police said three people were detained after trying to force their way into the court.
The dispute has emerged as the Tusk government seeks to remove Constitutional Court judges appointed during PiS's time in power in 2015-2023. Judge Anna Korwin-Piotrowska, who announced Swieczkowski's suspension, said the move was necessary to restore the rule of law. The Constitutional Court rejected the decision and insisted that Swieczkowski remained in office. Justice Minister Waldemar Zurek also asked for the immunity of Swieczkowski and his deputy, Bartlomiej Sochanski, to be lifted.