Supposedly sick Lepper fails to appear before the beak to face slander charges

Andrzej Lepper, the leader of Samoobrona (Self-Defense) yesterday failed to show up in the court after being accused of slandering a number of deputies from the Civic Platform (PO) and the Democratic Left Alliance (SLD). Yesterday, Henryk Dzido, Lepper's barrister and a Self-Defense senator, appeared in court only to claim his client was seriously ill and required hospital treatment. However, Dzido could not substantiate the claim and was unable to produce a doctor's note. Instead, he presented a copy of a Self-Defense statement concerning the issue. The court adjourned in order for the circumstances of Lepper's non-appearance to be examined. So far it has been revealed that the controversial Self-Defense leader was taken to a Warsaw hospital, where he must stay until his health improves. The plaintiffs in the case suspect that Lepper's illness is simply a ruse to avoid appearing in the dock. (Rzeczpospolita, p. A3) J.J.