Adam Borowski: Jail Sentence & Presidential Review for Insulting Polish Lawyer
Warsaw, Poland – A Warsaw court on Tuesday ruled to enforce a prison sentence against Adam Borowski, the head of the Warsaw chapter of “Gazeta Polska,” for defaming lawyer and opposition MP Roman Giertych. The decision stems from comments Borowski made in a 2020 television appearance, according to reports from Polish media outlets.
The ruling mandates Borowski serve a six-month sentence. Though, the defense has announced plans to appeal the decision, and Borowski himself stated in an interview with Radio Wnet that he would not offer an apology, even if it meant imprisonment. “I will not apologize. I can go to jail,” he said.
The case originated from a private criminal complaint filed by Giertych, alleging defamation related to Borowski’s statements concerning Giertych’s involvement in the Polnord affair. In the 2020 broadcast, Borowski asserted that Giertych collaborated with criminals and provided legal cover for illicit activities, alleging he facilitated the apply of front companies.
The enforcement ruling followed a court determination that Borowski had not fulfilled a requirement to issue a public apology. Radio Wnet reported that the court found the lack of apology justified the execution of the original sentence.
The case has drawn significant political attention. President Karol Nawrocki has requested the full case file from the Prosecutor General, citing Article 139 of the Polish Constitution, which concerns the presidential power of clemency. According to a post on X (formerly Twitter) by Presidential Chief of Staff Piotr Bogucki, the President is as well considering initiating a review for a potential pardon under Article 567, paragraph 2 of the Polish Code of Criminal Procedure.
In January, President Nawrocki acknowledged the case and Borowski’s history as an anti-communist opposition activist, stating he would analyze the matter thoroughly before considering any pardon. “Of course, I am familiar with the case, and I also recognize Adam Borowski, an activist of the anti-communist opposition, a very brave man who always stood on the side of Poland,” Nawrocki said at the time.
Jarosław Kaczyński, leader of the Law and Justice (PiS) party, has condemned the court’s decision, characterizing it as an overreach of the current government. According to Polsat News, Kaczyński stated the ruling represents a transgression of boundaries and a “scandal” – imprisoning an elder statesman of the anti-communist opposition for expressing his views.
As of Wednesday, March 25, 2026, the Prosecutor General’s office has not publicly commented on the President’s request for the case file, and the timeline for a potential pardon remains unclear.