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Poland's top court accuses Tusk's government of a 'coup' as riot police surround it after its chief judge is suspended

Poland's top court accuses Tusk's government of a 'coup' as riot police surround it after its chief judge is suspended

President Karol Nawrocki turned his plane around mid-flight from Senegal and forced his way through a police cordon to reach the Warsaw court building shortly before 1am on Saturday. The suspension of Constitutional Tribunal chief Bogdan Święczkowski was triggered by fellow judge Anna Korwin-Piotrowska, while Justice Minister Waldemar Żurek demanded the immunity of Święczkowski and his deputy Bartłomiej Sochański be lifted so criminal charges can be brought against them.

Hundreds of protesters — including opposition MPs and PiS leader Jarosław Kaczyński — gathered outside, with some holding rosaries and chanting 'Tusk traitor'.

The court posted on social media that 'all persons participating in these actions are committing the crime of a coup d'etat', while Tusk insisted restoring the rule of law is 'our duty'.

Three people were arrested for trying to force entry, and protesters threw objects at officers during the stand-off.

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