EC concerned over campaign to discredit Polish judges

The European Commission (EC) has expressed concern over media reports of a campaign to discredit judges critical of Poland's judicial reforms, which has led to the resignation of a deputy justice minister. The Onet.pl news portal reported on Monday that Deputy Justice Minister Lukasz Piebiak had maintained social media contact with a woman known only as Emilia, who was responsible for anonymously disseminating defamatory materials against selected judges, allegedly with Piebiak's support. Among the judges targeted was the president of the 'Iustitia' judges' association, Prof. Krystian Markiewicz. Piebiak resigned over the reports. The EC's press service said it had learnt of the matter with concern, but would not comment on the affair, although it would follow developments closely.