In connection with the case of the cardiologist from the hospital of the Ministry of Interior and Administration in Warsaw, the Helsinki Committee in Poland calls on state officials, as well as journalists and commentators, to preserve the elementary principles guaranteeing the binding force of presumption of innocence for suspects and the accused. (16-FEB-07)


Miroslaw G., a cardio-surgeon from the hospital of the Ministry of Interior and Administration, was arrested on 12 February on 30 charges, including murder and corruption. The case is being handled by the Central Anti-corruption Office (CBA). i.e. a state institution appointed by the coalition government of Law and Justice (PiS), Self-Defense of the Republic of Poland (Samoobrona) and the League of Polish Families (LPR) to prosecute high-level corruption, and 5 public prosecutors. The Attorney General, Zbigniew Ziobro, and the head of CBA organized a press conference, during which they presented the results of the several-month-long investigation, but failed to present convincing evidence (particularlythose concerning murder). The Polish media took up the topic and for 2 days now have been trying to outdo each other in informing about journalistic leaks from the public prosecutor’s office, which supposedly testify to the crimes committed by Miroslaw G. On 15 February, the Helsinki Committee in Poland issued a statement, in which it called on state officials, journalists and commentators to preserve the elementary principles guaranteeing the binding force of presumption of innocence for suspects and the accused.


                                                            STATEMENT

In connection with the case of the cardiologist from the hospital of the Ministry of Interior and Administration in Warsaw, the Helsinki Committee in Poland calls on state officials, as well as journalists and commentators, to preserve the elementary principles guaranteeing the binding force of presumption of innocence for suspects and the accused. The rash and premature passing of verdicts by high-ranking state officials responsible for law and order, and the use of preliminary investigation findings for the purpose of propaganda, is not conducive to the observance of binding procedures and may lead to the violation of the principles of the state of law and infringements of human rights. The court is the only institution authorized to rule on any alleged guilt in criminal cases following a fair trail.        

Warsaw, 15 February 2007

On behalf of the Helsinki Committee in Poland:
Teresa Bogucka, Halina Bortnowska-Dabrowska, Marek Edelman, Janusz Grzelak, Zbigniew Holda,
Jacek Kurczewski, Wojciech Maziarski, Michal Nawrocki, Marek Antoni Nowicki, Danuta Przywara,
Andrzej Rzeplinski, Marek Safjan, Stefan Starczewski


Marek Antoni Nowicki