Barbara Skrzypek, a close associate of Jaros4aw Kaczy4ski, the leader of Poland's ruling Law and Justice (PiS) party, has died under circumstances sparking controversy and accusations against Polish authorities. Skrzypek's passing on March 15, 2025, follows her recent interrogation by prosecutors, which has drawn sharp criticism from PiS officials who blame the regime of Prime Minister Donald Tusk for her death.
Tomasz Sakiewicz, head of conservative TV station Republika, announced Skrzypek's death, stating she had not been suffering from any serious illnesses prior to her passing. According to Sakiewicz, Skrzypek had been questioned for five hours by prosecutors just days before her death, and he described the interrogation as harassment intended to extract incriminatory statements against Kaczy4ski, which left her feeling mentally distressed.
Skrzypek was known for her long-standing allegiance to Kaczy4ski, having held senior administrative roles within PiS for decades. Previously, she had also served under Poland's communist regime during the 1980s. Her questioning was linked to prior allegations surrounding Srebrna, a company associated with Kaczy4ski, and focused on potential misuse of power of attorney during a shareholders' meeting held in 2018.
During the 2018 meeting, Kaczy4ski allegedly made false claims to represent Skrzypek. The investigation revived earlier complaints made by Austrian businessman Gerald Birgfellner, who accused Kaczy4ski of soliciting bribes and claimed to have incurred significant financial losses due to misleading information.
After news of Skrzypek's death broke, Warsaw's district prosecutor’s office confirmed she had been questioned the previous week but emphasized the professionalism of their proceedings. They expressed condolences to her family and contradicted claims of mistreatment, declaring, “the questioning took place in a very civilized atmosphere.”
Despite this, PiS leaders have suggested otherwise. Kaczy4ski took to social media to directly attribute Skrzypek's death to the stress from her interrogation, stating, “The summons and many hours of questioning by neo-prosecutor Wrzosek were a huge shock and great stress for Barbara Skrzypek.” Various party members echoed this sentiment, including MEP Dominik Tarczy4ski who intensely criticized the Tusk administration, asserting, “the death of Barbara Skrzypek is directly related to this questioning.”
Notably, Kaczy4ski has vowed not to be intimidated, pledging to stand against allegations aimed at discrediting party officials.
Former Justice Minister Zbigniew 0wi3alski addressed the standard practice of not allowing lawyers during interviews for witnesses, arguing it is typical for individuals who are not suspects. Conversely, Skrzypek's attorney, Krzysztof Gotkowicz, submitted concerns over her health during the proceedings, especially due to the presence of opposing counsel, but these were dismissed by prosecutor Ewa Wrzosek, who stated, “Skrzypek’s health condition should not have prevented her normal participation.”
Adding to the tension, Wrzosek announced her intention to pursue legal action against anyone who connects Skrzypek's death to the interrogation, anticipating defamation suits against those politicizing the tragedy. “Any attempts to link the death of the witness to her interrogation… will result in the district prosecutor’s office filing a civil lawsuit,” declared the prosecutor’s office.
The circumstances surrounding Skrzypek's death are amplifying the existing political divides within the country. After the Tusk government replaced PiS as the ruling authority in December 2023, it promised increased accountability for PiS officials amid allegations of corruption. While Kaczy4ski has portrayed the investigation and questioning as politically motivated, critics of the former regime see it as part of necessary legal accountability for alleged abuses of power.
Barbara Skrzypek's passing adds to the already charged political atmosphere as both opposition and ruling party figures passionately debate her legacy and the ramifications of her interrogation. The fallout from this incident could reverberate throughout the Polish political scene for months to come.
