Polish Police Ignore Court Summons to Release Recordings of Farmers' Protest

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Sixth Court Hearing Ends Without Progress

The sixth hearing in the trial of a 65-year-old farmer from Lower Silesia, arrested during the farmers’ protest in Warsaw in March 2024, took place on April 3 at the Warsaw-City District Court. Despite multiple court orders, the police have again failed to submit recordings of the demonstration—footage that is key to the case. Without this material, the court is unable to proceed, and the trial remains stalled.

Charges Based on Alleged Egg-Throwing

The accused farmer was detained during last year’s March 6 protest in Warsaw and taken to a police detention center. The next day, he was charged with participating in an unlawful assembly and violating the bodily integrity of two police officers by allegedly hitting them in the legs with eggs. The incident has been legally categorized as a "hooligan prank." The defendant denies the charges, claiming the police acted provocatively and aggressively during the protest.

Court Demands Missing Evidence

Despite repeated summonses and formal requests, the police have not handed over any footage of the March 6, 2024 protest. On April 3, 2025, the court once again returned the case file to the Prosecutor’s Office, instructing it to obtain the recordings or officially declare their absence. Until then, the trial cannot move forward.

Protest Footage Still Withheld

The missing footage has been a critical point of contention throughout the case. The police previously claimed to have recorded the demonstration, yet have not complied with the court’s request to present any of this material. The case remains adjourned indefinitely due to this ongoing failure.

Farmers Protest Against EU Climate Policy

The March 2024 protest brought together farmers from across Poland who were voicing their opposition to the European Union’s climate policy and the European Green Deal. Farmers argue these policies are accelerating the decline of agriculture and driving up food prices.

Reports of Police Brutality

Footage from other sources—published in the media—shows scenes of police aggression during the protest. Officers were seen using pepper spray, batons, and physical force against demonstrators. There were also reports of unlawful detentions. The accused farmer has claimed in court that officers acted with clear intent to provoke and escalate the situation.

Legal Representation and Delays

After the protest, lawyers from Ordo Iuris were contacted by the rural branch of the Solidarity trade union to support those arrested. The accused has had to travel hundreds of kilometers to Warsaw multiple times for hearings, only for the proceedings to be repeatedly delayed by the absence of evidence from law enforcement.

Legal Grounds for Adjournment

Under Article 396a § 1 of the Polish Code of Criminal Procedure, if serious flaws in the pre-trial investigation become apparent during the trial—and cannot be corrected by the court without delaying a fair verdict—the case may be postponed. In such instances, the prosecutor is given a deadline to present evidence that could eliminate the deficiencies. If this evidence is not submitted, the court must resolve the resulting doubts in favor of the accused.

Case Remains on Hold

The court has now given the Prosecutor’s Office two months to deliver the requested recordings or confirm they do not exist. Until then, the case is adjourned indefinitely, with no resolution in sight.

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