Michał Rachoń, the program director of TV Republika, was handed a non-final reprimand by the Warsaw-Śródmieście District Court on August 3, according to findings by Gazeta.pl. The court found the broadcaster guilty of violating traffic safety and public order regulations stemming from an incident on January 31, 2025.
The January 31 Incident Outside TV Republika
The case dates back to January 31, 2025, when police executed a court-ordered compulsion to bring former Minister of Justice Zbigniew Ziobro before the Pegasus investigative committee. Officers did not locate the PiS vice-president at his residence, but instead found him participating in a live broadcast inside the TV Republika studio. After a conversation with authorities, Ziobro surrendered to law enforcement. As police placed the former minister into a vehicle and departed for Parliament, a crowd of people—including Rachoń holding a mobile phone—ran after the moving car.
According to an independent private notification submitted to the police, two men ran along Tłomackie Street toward Solidarności Avenue, burst onto the roadway, and continued running eastward along the street for approximately 50 meters. Concurrently, a Renault vehicle parked on the sidewalk at Solidarności Avenue entered traffic in close proximity to Rachoń, as detailed in reports from Gazeta.pl.
Did You Know?
Did You Know? The police investigation into the street pursuit stalled for months after local authorities attempted to interview Rachoń. Officers from the Capital Stołeczna Police Traffic Department routed the case to the Wołomin Police Headquarters, but multiple interview attempts failed because Rachoń’s legal representative repeatedly cited his client’s congested professional schedule.
Court Filings and Legal Charges Under Article 97
By mid-January 2026, a formal motion seeking punishment was filed with the Warsaw-Śródmieście District Court. Authorities charged Rachoń under Article 97 of the Code of Misdemeanors for breaching traffic safety rules. Specifically, investigators accused the TV Republika director of walking along the roadway despite a legal obligation to use sidewalks or pedestrian paths, and using an electronic device while crossing the street.
Rachoń publicly criticized the inquiry on the social media platform X during the investigation phase, writing: “I am glad that experts from the traffic department’s misdemeanor section spend productive long hours of service on our taxes. Surely no supervisor pressured the handling of this burning issue. A fascinating court trial is brewing.” On August 3, the court issued a penal order confirming the guilt of the TV Republika figure, handing down a reprimand in a decision that remains open to appeal.
Expert Insight
Frequently Asked Questions
When did the court issue the ruling against Michał Rachoń?
The Warsaw-Śródmieście District Court issued the non-final penal order on August 3, finding him guilty of violating traffic safety regulations.
What specific infractions was Michał Rachoń accused of committing?
Police charged Rachoń under Article 97 of the Code of Misdemeanors for walking on the roadway instead of utilizing available pedestrian paths and for using an electronic device while crossing the street.
Is the court’s decision regarding the TV Republika director final?
No, the judicial ruling is non-final and remains subject to potential appeal or further court proceedings.
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