Several dozen people have demonstrated on 20 February in support of the Ombudsman, Adam Bodnar, who has been sued for defamation by the Polish Television for his remarks that the hateful coverage by the [nominally] public media might have inspired the murderer of the Gdansk Mayor, Paweł Adamowicz in January.

” Dr Adam Bodnar sets an example of the civic ethos as one of the last defenders of freedom and the constitutional rule. He personifies the values of equality, respect and independence, which are so dear to us” – said the demonstrators in their letter of support for the Ombudsman.

Speaking to the demonstrators, a Warsaw University law professor Marcin Matczak has warned against the law being increasingly used against those criticising the authorities.

[The demonstrators in front of the Ombudsman’s Office,  photo: Renata Zawadzka – Ben Dor]