Poland's suspended court chief accuses government of 'state coup'

Poland's suspended Constitutional Tribunal head Bohdan Svieczkowski accused the government of a "state coup" during a protest outside the court in Warsaw on October 31. He called the judges who took over leadership "usurpers" and claimed they entered through a back entrance with government protection. The crisis escalated on October 30 when judge Anna Korwin-Piotrowska announced Svieczkowski's temporary suspension and assumed leadership, a decision he and his supporters reject. Opposition supporters, including leader Jaroslaw Kaczynski, gathered overnight, with police detaining three protesters. Prime Minister Donald Tusk stated the government aims to restore rule of law and normal court operations, while Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski defended police actions. The dispute over the tribunal's composition and leadership has persisted for years, with both sides questioning the legitimacy of appointments.