EditPolish court convicts ex-deputy minister over anti-Ukrainian hate speech
Krzysztof Tołwiński published online posts and recordings in which he described Ukrainians as “Banderite rabble” and “primitive beings"
A Polish court has found former deputy finance minister Krzysztof Tołwiński guilty of insulting Ukrainians and inciting hatred on national grounds, in a ruling that comes amid a series of cases exposing tensions around hate speech, justice, and public discourse in the country, EUalive’s partner European Pravda informs.
The verdict was delivered by a district court in Białystok after local prosecutors had twice discontinued the case, arguing that the politician’s statements did not constitute a crime. The proceedings were ultimately initiated through a private indictment filed by Ukrainian journalist Ihor Kravets in cooperation with the Centre for Monitoring Racist and Xenophobic Behaviour.
According to the indictment, Tołwiński published online posts and recordings in which he described Ukrainians as “Banderite rabble” and “primitive beings whose sole aim is to destroy our culture”. He also called for Ukrainians to be expelled from Poland before “the infection fully spreads through society”.
(Background by EUalive: Ukraine’s official position on Stepan Bandera, a prominent and controversial leader of the Organization of Ukrainian Nationalists (OUN) and associated with the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA), is one of recognition as a national hero for his role in the struggle for Ukrainian independence, particularly against Soviet oppression. However, this stance is nuanced due to his association with the controversial actions of the OUN-UPA, including the Volhynia and Eastern Galicia massacres, and is shaped by domestic political dynamics, historical reinterpretation, and Ukraine’s geopolitical relations, especially with Poland.)
The court confirmed that between March and May 2022 the former official had publicly incited hatred on national grounds. “The evidence clearly showed that his statements were offensive and encouraged hatred towards Ukrainian citizens,” said lawyer Magdalena Spisak, who represented the complainants.
She added that applying the term “Banderites” to all Ukrainians is unacceptable. Kravets, for his part, said the defendant behaved demagogically in court, repeatedly insisting that he was being tried for his political views.
Tołwiński rejected the accusations in comments to Gazeta Wyborcza, describing the case as politically motivated. “This is purely a political case. This verdict enriches my political résumé; it is a political gift to me. For me, it is an honour, although I completely disagree with it,” he said.
He denied using hate speech, arguing that such language is alien to Polish culture, and said he would decide whether to appeal after reviewing the written justification of the ruling. The verdict has not yet entered into force.
A separate case dating back to November highlights similar tensions. A 44-year-old activist, identified as Piotr N. and known as “Nazar”, is facing multiple charges, including criminal threats, promoting violence, and inciting hatred on national and religious grounds. He is also linked to a broader pattern of anti-Ukrainian actions, with numerous allegations connected to earlier incidents.
The case remains pending before the Polish judicial system and has drawn attention due to the scale of accusations and the suspect’s history of anti-Ukrainian activity.
In 2023, Poland’s National Broadcasting Council fined Radio Zet over a report claiming that Ukraine and the United States had lost trust in Poland following an incident involving an explosive device.
The report suggested that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had travelled through Poland without the knowledge of Polish security services due to this alleged loss of trust. The claim was rejected by government officials, who argued that it undermined state security institutions.
The regulator found that the broadcast violated Polish law, which prohibits content that conflicts with national interests, public morality, or social welfare. Radio Zet denied wrongdoing, stating that its information had been obtained from two reliable sources, which it declined to name.
The case has also drawn attention to broader debates over media standards and regulatory consistency. The National Broadcasting Council has faced criticism from opposition figures, who accuse it of applying double standards in its decisions.
Taken together, the court ruling against Tołwiński, the ongoing proceedings against Piotr N., and disputes over media reporting illustrate the complex legal and political landscape surrounding hate speech and public discourse in Poland.
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Caption: Krzysztof Tołwiński, still frame from a video published on his YouTube channel.
Updated: April 29, 2026 - 09:01
