Poland’s Ex-Ministers Arrested in Ongoing Post-Election Purge

Detained former officials accuse the new government of establishing a ‘somber dictatorship’ and pursuing a policy of ‘political revenge.’

Donald Tusk, the leader of the largest opposition grouping Civic Coalition (KO), and Rafal Trzaskowski, mayor of Warsaw, march in front of the Polish national flag during the "Marsz Miliona Serc" rally in Warsaw on Oct. 1, 2023. Kacper Pempel/Reuters

Polish police have arrested a former interior minister—along with his deputy—in what appears to be a political purge following contentious elections held last October.

On Jan. 9, police entered the presidential palace in Warsaw and arrested Mariusz Kaminski and Maciej Wasik, both members of the conservative Law and Justice (PiS) party.