On November 22 at 1:30 pm Polish time an appeal hearing will be held in the trial of Pastor Pawel Chojecki, editor-in-chief of Against the Tide TV. The pastor of the New Covenant Church in Lublin is on trial for words – a few sentences from sermons and other programs aired on the TV he runs, which were disliked by a group of haters and the Law and Justice prosecution. The court of first instance disrespected the right of a Polish citizen to freedom of speech and sentenced Pastor Chojecki to 8 months of restriction of liberty and reimbursement of trial costs. The state’s violation of freedom of speech and persecution for views is a problem for the whole society, but the journalistic community should be particularly vocal about it. We urge the media to be active in reporting on this case.
A few Polish Baptist and Lutheran pastors have already expressed their support for pastor Paweł Chojecki and their wishes for the good outcome of the trial.
VIDEO: Will they lock up pastor Chojecki?
More about the trial here
Date and time of the hearing:
Sąd Apelacyjny w Lublinie
II Wydział Karny
Obrońców Pokoju 1
20-950 Lublin
November 22, 1:30pm Polish time
room III
UPDATE:
On November 22, the court has decided to adjourn the trial. Next hearing and announcement of the verdict is to take place on January 31, 2023.
Who really is pastor Paweł Chojecki?
