The prosecution goes to war with fans: banners about Trzaskowski and Jagielska under investigation

In fresh days, the Warsaw prosecution launched an investigation into banners displayed by Legia Warszawa fans during the final match of the Polish Cup. These banners contained critical content for the president of Warsaw Rafał Trzaskowski and doctor Gizela Jagielska.

The Prosecutor's Office considered that these content could constitute a slander and violation of Article 212(1) of the Criminal Code, which concerns a person's prosecution or property likely to degrade him or her in the public opinion or exposure him or her to a failure of assurance in the position in question.

Legia Warsaw fans have long expressed their opinions on politicians and social events through banners displayed at the stadium. In this case, the content of the banners concerned, among others, allegations against president Trzaskowski about the removal of crosses and comparison of doctor Jagielska to historical form. The Prosecutor’s Office concluded that specified actions could undermine the individual interests of the persons afraid and initiated an investigation into the matter.

The D.A.'s decision sparked a debate on the limits of freedom of expression and expression in public space. any commentators stress that the stadium is not a place for political manifestations, while others point to the request to defend the right to express views freely, even if they are controversial.

It is worth noting that Article 212 of the Penal Code, concerning slander, has been controversial in the legal and journalistic environment for years. Critics of this provision indicate that it can be utilized to suppress criticism and restrict freedom of speech. Supporters, on the another hand, emphasize the request to defend the good name of public individuals from unjustified attacks.

The case is presently pending and the prosecution is conducting investigations. It is not yet known whether the charges will be filed against the circumstantial persons liable for displaying the banners. In the meantime, discussions on the limits of freedom of expression and the function of the prosecutor in specified matters will surely continue.