MP Ryszard Petru, vice-chairman of the Polish delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, commented on the case of Marcin Romanowski on TVN24. He stated that he had “far-reaching doubts” regarding the immunity that Romanowski is supposed to enjoy in connection with his membership in the Parliamentary Assembly. – I understand that the prosecutor's office will appeal to a higher authority and this higher authority must assess for itself whether the chairman's letter in this case is binding or whether it is just an interpretation – he added.
The prosecutor's office has formulated 11 charges against the former deputy minister of justice, politician of Sovereign Poland Marcin Romanowski, including participation in an organized criminal group. He was arrested on Monday, and a request for arrest was filed on Tuesday. However, Romanowski was not arrested. – The court did not consider the prosecutor's office's request for my temporary arrest in connection with the fact that as a member of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe I am entitled to immunity – Romanowski said.
Petru: I have far-reaching doubts
On Thursday, the guest of “One on One” was Ryszard Petru, MP of Poland 2050 and vice-chairman of the Polish delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe. He spoke about the immunity that protected Romanowski from arrest. – As a rule, this immunity applies only when there is a session or when we go to a session or a committee. And he (the head of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe – ed.) extends that the immunity applies for the whole year – he said.
– I understand the situation the court was in. It was operating under time pressure, a letter from the President of the Council of Europe was received, which said that this immunity applies and the court was not able to make any in-depth interpretation of this situation. It made the decision it made – said Petru.
He added that he had “far-reaching doubts as to whether it should be as presented in the chairman's letter”. – This is his interpretation. The court should be able to assess it. I understand that the prosecutor's office will appeal to a higher court and this higher court must assess for itself whether this letter is binding or just an interpretation – Petru stated.
– The fact is that in order to lift Mr. Romanowski's immunity in the Council of Europe, it will take at least – according to my estimates – half a year – said Petru.
Petru: I didn't take into account that I have double immunity
The TVN24 guest admitted that he was “a bit surprised by the turn of events”, and that he himself had never taken into account that he was protected by double immunity.
– But I'll give you an example. Once, not long ago, probably during the previous session of the Council of Europe, a person who was travelling by car to Strasbourg received a special card, which was a proof that they had immunity for the duration of the journey. And it was issued only for the duration of the journey, not for the whole year. So someone who decided to issue such certificates, such cards, considered things differently than the chairman, because he considered that this immunity was only for the duration of the session – said the MP.
– I don't think it's a disgrace to the prosecutor's office, but it is a mistake. It should have contacted the Council of Europe. They certainly felt “offended” that something like that didn't happen – Petru said. He added that “the prosecutor's office did not directly admit to this mistake”.
Main image source: TVN24