# Polish President Nawrocki's revocation and pardons > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/polish-president-nawrockis-executive-actions > Updated: 2026-08-05T08:57:41.000Z. Sources: 30. Developments: 3. On 1 August 2026 President Karol Nawrocki revoked the Order of the White Eagle from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky after Zelensky named a military unit after the World‑War‑II Ukrainian Insurgent Army. The move drew criticism from Kyiv and prompted the Slovak National Party to propose legislation allowing the removal of state awards deemed contrary to Slovak interests. The following day Nawrocki exercised his constitutional pardon power for three individuals. Adam Borowski, a 78‑year‑old former journalist, was freed from a six‑month defamation sentence on humanitarian and health grounds, with officials citing his contribution to Poland’s democratic transformation. Piotr Staruchowicz, a prominent Legia Warsaw ultras leader, had his two‑year stadium ban and related conviction erased; authorities described the offence as incidental and noted a positive social assessment. Piotr Pytel, serving a life sentence for a 2004 murder‑robbery in Munich, received conditional early release after a favorable prison‑service and prosecutor opinion, with a five‑year probation period. The pardons were formally announced on 3 August by State Secretary Mateusz Kotecki and presidential spokesperson Rafał Leśkiewicz, who framed them as humanitarian corrections of disproportionate penalties. Reactions intensified: government spokesman Adam Szłapka called the moves “absurd” and hinted at a personal link to Staruch; former President Lech Wałęsa refused to recognise Nawrocki’s presidency, labeling it fraudulent. Critics argue the clemency undermines judicial authority, while the president’s office defends it as a lawful exercise of constitutional powers. The episode has sparked broader debate over the scope and criteria of presidential clemency. On 5 August 2026 Nawrocki signed the specific pardon for Staruchowicz, formally lifting the two‑year stadium ban imposed after he breached stadium regulations during an away match in Lublin despite holding an accreditation. ## Claims - President Karol Nawrocki granted pardons to three individuals on 3 August 2026. (corroborated by 13 sources) - President Nawrocki has used the pardon power seven times during his term, denying it in five other cases. (corroborated by 13 sources) - Piotr “Staruch” Staruchowicz received a pardon that lifted his stadium ban and erased his conviction. (corroborated by 9 sources) - Adam Borowski was pardoned, with his prison sentence for defamation waived on humanitarian grounds. (corroborated by 9 sources) - Presidential spokesperson Rafał Leśkiewicz said the president does not need to justify the use of the pardon prerogative. (corroborated by 9 sources) - Piotr Pytel was granted conditional early release from a life sentence for murder and robbery, with a five‑year probation period. (corroborated by 8 sources) - The pardons have been criticized by politician Roman Giertych. (single source) ## Timeline ### 2026-08-05: Polish President Karol Nawrocki pardons Legia Warsaw fan leader “Staruch” Polish President Karol Nawrocki pardoned Legia Warsaw fan leader Piotr “Staruch” Staruchowicz, ending a two‑year stadium ban and igniting political controversy. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/polish-president-karol-nawrocki-pardons-legia-warsaw-fan-leader-staruch ### 2026-08-02: Polish President Karol Nawrocki pardons three, controversy over fan leader Polish President Karol Nawrocki pardoned Adam Borowski, Piotr Pytel and Legia fan leader Piotr Staruch, prompting domestic and foreign criticism over the use of presidential clemency. 24 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/karol-nawrocki-featured-in-polish-satire-and-media-commentary ### 2026-08-01: Polish President Nawrocki strips Zelensky of award, Slovak party pushes similar revocation law Polish President Karol Nawrocki stripped Zelensky of Poland’s top award over a UPA naming, prompting Kyiv to return it, while Slovakia’s SNS seeks to let its parliament revoke state honours. 5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/polish-president-nawrocki-strips-zelensky-of-award-slovak-party-pushes-similar-revocation-law --- Cite as: Polish President Nawrocki's revocation and pardons. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/polish-president-nawrockis-executive-actions