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.
