The libel trial brought by Law and Justice party Jaroslaw Kaczynski against former Civic Platform politician Janusz Palikot gets underway in Lublin, south east Poland today.

Kaczynski says Palikot accused him of “concocting” a gambling industry lobbying scandal which led to several ministers having to resign their posts in late 2008.

Kaczynski claims that Palikot defamed him after presenting him as being a person who puts pressure on state institutions in order to eliminate political rivals.

The Law and Justice leader demands an apology from Janusz Palikot  - who has recently left the ruling Civic Platform to set up his own centrist liberal party - and is demanding 30,000 zloty (7,500 euro) in damages which he says he will donate to charity.

Janusz Palikot’s lawyer has sad that the politician – a fierce critic of Kaczynski – was merely exercising his right to freedom of speech.

Kaczynski has also accused Palikot of being a prime mover of the “hate campaign” aimed against Law and Justice, which, he claims, led to the murder last week of a party activist in Lodz, central Poland. (mg)

Source: PAP