SLD deputy Andrzej Jagiełło is to be arrested, despite immunity

The Sejm has agreed to arrest Democratic Left Alliance (SLD) deputy Andrzej Jagiełło from Starachowice. The Sejm's decision to arrest a parliamentarian who is protected by immunity is without precedent in the history of Poland. "Parliamentary immunity cannot pose an obstacle to the revelation of the truth," said SLD's Wacław Martyniuk. The prosecution intends to charge Jagiełło with informing Starachowice local government officials about the planned action of the Central Investigation Office. Jagiełło has continually protested his innocence, while others in the Sejm have voiced their general sadness with the situation. "I feel no satisfaction to have to vote against a colleague from the Sejm; however, there is no other alternative," said Civic Platform (PO) leader Jan Rokita. It may be of interest to note that nobody from the SLD voted in favor of Jagiełło's arrest. (Gazeta Wyborcza, p. 4) A.Z.