Former Polish deputy minister found guilty of inciting hatred against Ukrainians

A district court in Białystok has found former Polish deputy finance minister Krzysztof Tołwiński guilty of insulting Ukrainians and publicly inciting hatred on national grounds.

Source: European Pravda, citing WP

Details: The verdict was delivered by the district court after the local prosecutor's office had twice closed the case, finding no elements of a crime in the politician's statements. Proceedings were ultimately initiated through a private indictment filed by Ukrainian journalist Ihor Kravets in cooperation with the Centre for Monitoring Racist and Xenophobic Behaviour.

The indictment cited the former deputy minister's online posts and recordings in which he referred to Ukrainians using derogatory language and called for their expulsion from Poland.

The court confirmed that between March and May 2022, the defendant had publicly incited hatred on national grounds.

She added that applying certain derogatory terms to all Ukrainians is unacceptable. According to Kravets, the defendant behaved demagogically in court, repeatedly claiming he was being tried for his political views.

In a comment to Gazeta Wyborcza, Tołwiński said the ruling – which has not yet entered into force – was purely political.

"This is purely a political case. This verdict enriches my political résumé; it is a political gift to me. For me, it is an honour, although I absolutely disagree with it," he said.

He rejected accusations of using hate speech, claiming it is alien to Polish culture, and said he would decide whether to appeal after reviewing the written reasoning of the verdict.

Background:

• In November, a Polish court decided not to remand an anti-Ukrainian activist in custody.
• Earlier, a radio station in Poland was fined for spreading disinformation about Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

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