Up to 200,000 supporters of Poland’s conservative Law and Justice party have gathered in front of parliament in Warsaw, in defence of free speech, media and democracy, and calling for the release of two ex-ministers jailed earlier in the week.
The rally also called for the release of two Law and Justice MPs who were imprisoned on Tuesday to serve a two-year sentence for abuse of power during Law and Justice’s previous spell in office in 2007. Earlier in the day, President Andrzej Duda, a Law and Justice ally, said he would pardon the two ex-ministers.
Source – Polskie Radio
Polish authorities successfully have intercepted a diamond smuggling operation at Warsaw’s Chopin Airport, involving diamonds worth over PLN 1.5 million.
The smuggler, a Ukrainian citizen, was apprehended with the precious stones hidden in her hand luggage. A spokeswoman for the Customs and Fiscal Service said that the Ukrainian traveller arrived from Armenia and was enroute to Belgium. She attempted to pass through the „nothing to report” crossing but was redirected by officers for a detailed check. Upon inspection, officials discovered nearly 670 carats of diamonds, equivalent to 134 grams, in the suspect’s sole piece of luggage. Despite the traveller possessing legal invoices for the diamonds, her failure to declare them resulted in an evasion of over PLN 350,000 in taxes. As a result, she now faces a fine.
Source – Polskie Radio
Poland has ranked 6th place in an annual ranking of the world’s passports according to the number of destinations their holders can access without a prior visa.
The 2024 Henley Passport Index declared that the Polish passport gives easy access to 189 countries, the same number as the passports of Australia, New Zealand and the Czech Republic. The citizens of France, Germany, Italy, Japan and Singapore enjoy hassle-free entry to 194 countries, the best result since the London-based global citizenship and residence advisory firm Henley & Partners launched the ranking 19 years ago.
Source – Polskie Radio
People in need of legal advice but who cannot afford the services of a lawyer will be able to take advantage of a free legal and civic advice and mediation service being offered in Sopot.
Consultations with qualified lawyers are provided to both city residents and those in need from outside Sopot. The free consultations are held in person at Sopot City Hall on Kościuszki street in Sopot and can also be done via email or over the phone. Sessions cover professional, family, inheritance and insurance matters and lawyers also advise in the event of emergency events and assist in preparing official letters exempting from court costs and initiating court proceedings. Appointments for consultations can be made from Monday to Friday between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. by calling 536 017 748 or by e-mail: bppkalendarz@gmail.com.
Source – Radio Gdańsk
Weather
Today will be a cloudy day with sunny spells and cloudy day in a moderate breeze with temperatures of 2 degrees centigrade (35 degrees Fahrenheit) during the day and 0 degrees overnight. Tomorrow will turn snowy in moderate winds and temperatures of 2 degrees during the day and 1 degree overnight.
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Martin Caren/MarWer
