WARSAW (Reuters) - Poland's justice minister acted illegally in dismissing state prosecutor Dariusz Barski, a top presidential aide said on Monday, opening a new front in the conflict between the head of state and the new government.
Justice Minister Adam Bodnar has been tasked with unpicking policies of the previous nationalist Law and Justice (PiS) government which critics say increased political influence over the judicial system.
"The actions of the justice minister are illegal," Marcin Mastalerek, the head of Duda's office, told private broadcaster Radio Zet.
"The president says directly that Mr Barski is the state prosecutor and today - it seems that this meeting has started - that is what he will tell the prosecutor," Mastalerek said.
Bodnar said he had given Jacek Bilewicz the responsibilities of state prosecutor on an interim basis while a selection process for a permanent replacement takes place.
Persons:
Dariusz Barski, Adam Bodnar, Andrzej Duda, Marcin Mastalerek, Barski, Zbigniew Ziobro, Mastalerek, Duda, Donald Tusk, Bodnar, PiS, Jacek Bilewicz, Alan Charlish, Anna Koper, Ros Russell
Organizations:
Law and Justice, Union, Radio Zet
Locations:
WARSAW, Poland