Polish Ombudsman appeals conviction of Piotr Niemczyk

The Polish Ombudsman has filed a cassation appeal with the Supreme Court regarding the conviction of Piotr Niemczyk, a former opposition activist and government official. Niemczyk is currently serving a 15-day detention after refusing to perform community service, a penalty imposed following his participation in a ‘Last Generation’ climate protest in Warsaw in May 2025.

The Ombudsman challenges the validity of the summary judgment, arguing that police video footage contradicts the charges of obstructing traffic. According to the Ombudsman, the recordings show Niemczyk standing on the sidewalk rather than the roadway and complying with police instructions. The appeal asserts that the summary procedure was inappropriate because the evidence did not leave the circumstances of the alleged offense without doubt. The Ombudsman has requested that the Supreme Court overturn the verdict and stay the execution of the sentence to prevent irreversible consequences.