Justice Minister's immunity lifted after ten year legal drama

It is now certain that Justice Minister Marek Sadowski will be faced with formal charges for a road accident he caused over ten years ago. The Court of Appeals spokesman revealed on Friday that a motion to cancel Sadowski's immunity is currently under preparation. The investigation until now had been blocked as Sadowski enjoyed immunity as a judge. Now that he has become Justice Minister he lost his immunity. Lawyers' opinions on that matter are divided. Some say that he still has the right to immunity as he still has the right to rule as a judge in court. However, two years ago the Supreme Court stated that as Justice Minister he has lost his right to immunity as he is subordinate to the government and may be a member of a political party, a right which judges are not granted. Sadowski said that should his immunity be lifted, he would willingly co-operate with the Prosecutor. (Gazeta Wyborcza, August 7-8, p. 4) D.W.