On Monday, May 26, 2025, on the portal One an article was published entitled “Karol Nawrocka and the Secrets of the Grand Hotel”, by Andrzej Stankiewicz and Jack Harlukowicz. The publication sparked a wave of controversy, and its hero – erstwhile Minister of Interior and candidate for president of the Republic of Poland Karol Nawrocki – decided to respond by both civilian and criminal channels.
What does the article contain?
According to the information provided by journalists, Karol Nawrocki was to participate in the bringing prostitutes to the guests of the Sopot Grand Hotel during his work as a bodyguard there. The sources of information were his then safety colleagues, who, due to concerns for their own safety, remained anonymous but assured that they were ready to attest to the court.
"Because of their concerns about their own safety, our callers want to stay anonymous. But they take work for their words – they declare that they are ready to attest before the court," the article says.
Karol Nawrocki's reaction
Karol Nawrocki filed a civilian suit against Ringier Axel Springer Polska Sp. z o.o., publisher of Onet and Interia portals. According to the press service of the territory Court in Warsaw:
"On 27 May 2025, a suit from Karol Nawrocki against Ringier Axel Springer Polska sp. z o.o. for the protection of individual property was received in the local court".
The case has already been registered, but the date of the trial has not yet been set. Additionally, the erstwhile minister besides filed a private indictment in this case. This will be done by the territory Court for Warsaw-Mokotów.
Jakub Kudła, head of the legal department of Ringier Axel Springer Polska, informed PAP that the company received an indictment and has until next week to prepare an answer. The indictment relates to Article 212 of the Criminal Code (beating or insulting).
Hot Discussions on ZET Radio
There was a sharp exchange between PiS MP Łukasz Schreiber and writer Andrzej Stankiewicz in the program conducted by the second on Radio ZET. Schreiber accused Onet of driving "Dirty Campaign" Against Nawrock.
"It was a nasty run with these dirty attacks, especially at the end. Aren’t you ashamed?” Schreiber asked.
Stankiewicz evaporated that the only article for which he received a suit from Nawrocki was a text concerning his work at the Sopot Grand Hotel. He besides recalled that the journalist's mission is to present the actual profile of the candidate, which nobody knew about so far.
"The journalist's work is to present a candidate who nobody knew anything about," explained Stankiewicz.
The PiS MP besides accused Onet of deficiency of neutrality and actual coverage of the election campaign. In response, the writer referred to earlier Onetu publications, which Schreiber thought would negatively affect the image of the PiS candidate.
“The reality verified it”
Schreiber stated that reality confirmed its position, citing the fact that Onet allegedly did not know the full biography of Nawrocki. In his reply, Stankiewicz recalled that the politician himself admitted that he had no thought of the existence of alleged bills or another aspects of Nawrocki's past.
"No, I didn't know," said Schreiber, which was received as an argument confirming the request for a journalistic investigation.
PiS besides claimed that Nawrocki was the mark the most unequal electoral run in Polish historythe peculiar services to be involved. Stankiewicz replied that if a associate has evidence of the activities of the services, he should submit a announcement to the prosecutor about the anticipation of committing a crime.
Legal analysis: What could consequence from the lawsuit?
The filing of a civilian suit and a private indictment are serious legal steps. In the light of Article 212 of the Criminal Code (insultment), criminal liability threatens for public and intentional acts. On the another hand, in civilian proceedings for the protection of individual property, it will be crucial to prove a breach of a good name and to prove the incorrect presentation of facts.
It should be borne in head that the media have the right to supply information on public persons, if their activities are of social interest. However, the condition is to keep the rule of the integrity and respect of the dignity of the unresponsive individual (e.g. the ability to respond). In the case of publications on the past years of life, it is crucial to measure the proportionality and relevance of the subject to the public function.
The case law of the Constitutional Court and the European Court of Human Rights has repeatedly stressed the importance of freedom of expression for those in public office. At the same time, the CCC pointed out that the media must act responsibly and not abuse freedom of expression.
Summary
The case of Karol Nawrocki and his reaction to publications Onetu opens up a wide scope of issues relating to freedom of expression, media work and the limits of information on the lives of politicians. Regardless of the result of the trial, Andrzej Stankiewicz and Jack Harlukowicz's article shows how crucial it is to inform the public full and transparently about those seeking the highest offices in the country.
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