Poland 'coup' latest: Riot police deployed in Warsaw as Donald Tusk issues warning

Poland 'coup' latest: Riot police deployed in Warsaw as Donald Tusk issues warning Cops have swarmed Poland's Constitutional Court amid an escalating stand-off between the government and the court's top judges Riot police have been deployed at a court in Warsaw amid claims of a "coup d'etat". An escalating row in Poland pits the government of Prime Minister Donald Tusk against his predecessors from the right-wing Law and Justice (PiS) party. The police intervention came after Justice Minister Waldemar Żurek said he had asked for the court's President Bogdan Święczkowski and Vice-President Bartłomiej Sochański to be stripped of their immunity from prosecution to bring criminal charges against them. Tusk has vowed to depoliticise the judiciary, and has defended the move as PiS supporters gathered outside the court premises in Warsaw to protest. He warned: "After years of Law and Justice's lawlessness, this is a difficult, sometimes painful process that requires decisive action. There is no other way." In a social media post, the Constitutional Court wrote that the two judges the government wants to prosecute were still the legally appointed senior justices of the court. "All persons participating in these actions are committing the crime of a coup d'etat," it said. Key Events President accused of 'forcefully bumping into judge' President accused of 'forcefully bumping into judge' at the Constitutional Tribunal building. Judge Maciej Berek posted on X: "We are explaining the important circumstances of this shocking and scandalous situation. The Constitutional Tribunal judges were waiting for the President at the entrance to the Constitutional Tribunal building (a side entrance for security reasons). We were standing in front of the door. "STK A. Korwin-Piotrowska stood at the front of the group of judges, wanting to greet the President and invite him to the meeting room. The energetically approaching President not only failed to stop in front of the Judge standing at the door. "To use the most delicate of terms, the President forcefully bumped into Judge A. Korwin-Piotrowska and began pushing his way through the group of other judges. Berek added: "The recordings we have published do not show the entire situation. The recordings are in the possession of people who were following the President and recorded the entire event from that perspective. Importantly, after entering the building, the President was not interested in any conversation. He went upstairs with a group of his colleagues." Riot police at the scene Riot police have been deployes as the stand off continues. Three people have reportedly been arrested in the 'coup' so far. President restrained on entry to Constitutional Tribunal's headquarters The President has entered the Constitutional Tribunal's headquarters. However, video clips shared on social media show him being restrained. Everything we know so far Here's everything we know so far: - Riot police have been deployed at Poland's Constitutional Court due to a stand-off between the government and the court's top judges. - Donald Tusk defended the move to depoliticise the judiciary as PiS supporters gathered outside the court premises in Warsaw in protest on friday. - It has been confirmed by the Constitutional Court that the two judges the government wants to prosecute are still the legally appointed senior justices of the court and those participating in the stand off are committing the crime of a 'coup d'etat'. - The police are preventing any demonstrators from entering the court building. - Three people have been arrested after allegedly jumping the fence and entering the Constitutional Tribunal grounds. Judge bans entry to Constitutional Tribunal Constitutional Tribunal Judge Anna Korwin-Piotrowska told the Polish Press Agency: "Out of concern for the life and health of people in and around the Constitutional Tribunal, I do not consent to anyone entering the premises of the Constitutional Tribunal. "We can meet with the President of the Republic of Poland at the Presidential Palace." She has also issued a statement in which she emphasised that MPs and senators cannot perform any activities on the premises of the Constitutional Tribunal. Ambassador of the Republic of Poland in China resigns Ambassador of the Republic of Poland in China, Jakub Kumoch, has resigned. In a post on X, he said: "In light of the events in the country, I have concluded that it is no longer possible for me to continue serving as the Ambassador of the Republic of Poland. "As of today, I have submitted my resignation and a request for recall." Radosław Sikorski, Polish deputy prime minister and minister of foreign affairs, called Mr Kumoch's decision "unprofessional". He replied to Mr Kumoch's post: "I acknowledge the unprofessional conclusion of your mission. You no longer represent the Republic." President meets Święczkowski Just before 11pm local time, Polish president Karol Nawrocki was seen arriving at the Presidential Palace following his trip to Senegal, which he had to cut short. He is understood to have now met with the First President of the Supreme Court, Zbigniew Kapiński, and with Bogdan Święczkowski. 'The last thing Poland needs is a confrontation that spirals into something far worse' US ambassador to Poland Tom Rose has described tonight's events at Poland's Constitutional Tribunal as "very serious". Mr Rose added that the thousands gathered outside the tribunal make an "already dangerous situation more combustible". He said: "We appear to be witnessing an unprecedented confrontation over the government’s use of state power and the independence and authority of a constitutional institution. "Both sides offer sharply different accounts of what happened and why. Whatever the facts ultimately establish, thousands gathering outside the Tribunal make an already dangerous situation more combustible. "The last thing Poland needs is a confrontation that spirals into something far worse. America is on Poland’s side. "It is not our place to judge or interfere in its internal affairs. Our concern is for the stability, security, and democratic future of a country we are proud to call our friend and ally." Święczkowski tried to get into tribunal as protesters cut fence chain At around 8pm local time, Bogdan Święczkowski arrived at the Constitutional Tribunal and tried to convince the police to let him into the Constitutional Tribunal, TVN24 reports. A chain that was blocking a fence was cut by protesters and Święczkowski reportedly entered the gate but stopped before the police cordon. A few minutes later, he announced his withdrawal, the Polish news outlet adds. Święczkowski reportedly said he is the "sole administrator of the Constitutional Tribunal building" as the president of the Constitutional Tribunal. "Remember, the Tribunal is made up of people and judges," he told those gathered in front of the Constitutional Tribunal, announcing that "all legal judges" would arrive on Saturday and demand entry to the building. Member of the European Parliament Arkadiusz Mularczyk said: "A coup d’état is underway in Poland. "The forces acting on behalf of the current government have unlawfully entered the Constitutional Tribunal and are preventing legally appointed judges from entering." 'Threats to life and health' of judges Warsaw Police said in a statement released this evening that the chief of the national police in Poland was informed in a letter that "planned activities" on the premises of the Constitutional Tribunal could create "threats to the life and health of judges and employees". The letter also described the possibility of a "risk of disruption to public order". The statement read: "We reiterate that the Police are not conducting any actions within the seat of the Tribunal, limiting them exclusively to the external area. "The officers' actions are aimed at fulfilling statutory duties, in particular the legal obligation to ensure public safety and order. "They do not constitute interference in the activities of the Constitutional Tribunal as an institution." Who is Bogdan Święczkowski? Information about the suspension of the president of the Constitutional Tribunal, Bogdan Święczkowski, was published on the court's website around 6pm local time. The Tribunal's website went down soon after. Święczkowski became head of the Constitutional Tribunal under the PiS government, and Tusk has accused him of blocking judges elected by the parliamentary majority from taking up their posts at the tribunal. Politicians from PiS, currently the largest opposition force, have criticised Święczkowski’s suspension. Three people arrested Three people have been arrested after allegedly jumping the fence and entering the Constitutional Tribunal grounds, according to Warsaw police. The force said: "Procedural proceedings against those detained will be conducted pursuant to Article 193 of the Penal Code. "Officers are conducting operations aimed at restoring public order and safety on Aleja Szucha in front of the Constitutional Tribunal headquarters. Dangerous objects were thrown at the officers." Polish president cuts Senegal trip short Polish President Karol Nawrocki, who was flying to Senegal, said he turned his flight back because of the situation. "At a moment like this, the President must be in Poland. I am cutting short my flight to Senegal. I am returning," he wrote on X. The president had left earlier today and was scheduled to attend events related to the 4th Summer Youth Olympic Games in Dakar tomorrow.