The case involves 82-year-old Janusz Rudziński, who became widely known in Poland for his outspoken criticism of the country's abortion laws. For years, he has operated in Germany, where he assists Polish women by performing abortions and sterilizations.
Performing abortions is a duty of a gynecologist. It used to be normal in Poland, and no one made a drama out of it. These are medical procedures, and someone has to do them
- he explained a few years ago in an interview with the German outlet DW. On his website, he emphasizes, "I support and fight for women's rights! Every woman, including Polish women, has the full right to decide about her own life!".
Prosecutor Pursues 82-Year-Old German Gynecologist. He Filed a Complaint with Bodnar
Due to his activities, Dr. Rudziński is being pursued by the Szczecin prosecutor's office, which seeks to charge him with aiding in the termination of pregnancies. The doctor, who holds German citizenship and has been working in Germany for years, argues that he acted in accordance with German law.
It's paranoia; I don't even live in Poland; I'm a doctor in Germany
- he told Szczecin's "Gazeta Wyborcza". "I practice medicine in Germany, in compliance with German law, where terminating pregnancies up to 12 weeks is not punishable" - he added.
In connection with the case, the gynecologist even filed a complaint with the Prosecutor General and Minister of Justice, Adam Bodnar. In his letter, he claimed that Prosecutor Mateusz Hawrus, who wants to bring charges against him, is violating Polish law. He stressed that in this situation, the prosecutor cannot act directly and should first use the mediation of the Polish diplomatic mission in Germany. He believes that Hawrus "is dealing with a virtual abortion and fulfilling the fixed ideas of a group of Ziobro's followers." The gynecologist also announced that he would not attend the hearing in Poland. According to the Regional Prosecutor's Office in Szczecin, it is possible to charge Dr. Rudziński because the financial gain may have occurred on Polish territory.
Charges to Be Brought by a Controversial Prosecutor
It's worth noting that Prosecutor Mateusz Hawrus was assigned to the Regional Prosecutor's Office in Szczecin during Zbigniew Ziobro's tenure. The investigator was responsible for the high-profile case of gynecologist Maria Kubisa, whose office was raided by CBA agents in January 2023. They seized the medical records of 6,000 patients covering the last 30 years. The doctor was accused of aiding in the termination of pregnancies by selling early abortion pills. Kubisa maintains her innocence.
The court ruled that Hawrus's decision to seize all medical records during the investigation was unjustified and that only those directly related to the case should have been secured. Following a complaint filed by the patients whose records were taken, an investigation into the prosecutor's alleged abuse of power was initiated. This investigation is being conducted by the prosecutor's office in Zielona Góra.
