Ministry spokesperson dismissed from select duties

The PAP news agency reported on Monday that the 26-year-old Misiewicz was dismissed from his position as the director of the ministry’s political cabinet. He is still the official spokesperson.

Addressing a press conference, Defence Minister Antoni Macierewicz said that Misiewicz is currently on leave, and his duties have been taken over by the press office.

Macierewicz added that he would be informing the state prosecutor about alleged illegal activity by local media aimed to discredit the spokesman.

“In connection activities which are clearly criminal in nature, I have taken the decision to refer the case to the prosecutor's office … to clarify who, and which organisations are pursuing criminal activities to the detriment of the Defence Ministry and ministry officials,” Macierewicz said.

Since entering the public spotlight in late 2015, Misiewicz has often courted controversy, being criticised by the opposition for his apparent lack of experience in politics.

In September Misiewicz was suspended from his spokesperson position following his appointment to the supervisory board of Polska Grupa Zbrojeniowa (PGZ), one of the region’s largest conglomerates of military-equipment producers.

PGZ’s statute was especially changed to allow Misiewicz to join its board, despite the fact that he does not have a university degree. He has since resigned from that position. (rg)