- Poland's parliament has voted to lift immunity for Grzegorz Brown, a lawmaker who used a fire extinguisher to extinguish Hanukkah candles.
- The vote allows Mr. Brown to be prosecuted, and if convicted he could be sentenced to up to five years in prison.
- Prosecutors say they want to bring seven charges against Brown, including an earlier incident of alleged assault against a former health minister.
Polish lawmakers on Wednesday voted to lift immunity for a far-right lawmaker who used a fire extinguisher to extinguish Hanukkah candles during a ceremony in parliament last month.
The vote means that Confederate Party lawmaker Grzegorz Brown could be indicted.
If found guilty of damaging property, insulting religious symbols and causing bodily harm, he could be sentenced to up to five years in prison. Prosecutors say they want to charge Brown with seven charges that also apply to previous cases involving a former health minister and charges of trespassing on public property.
Far-right Polish lawmaker blows up menorah with fire extinguisher
Lawmakers voted to lift immunity on each of the seven counts.
Posters depicting images of imprisoned members of Poland's former right-wing government are displayed in the opposition section of the lower house of Poland's parliament during session in Warsaw, Poland, January 16, 2024. Lawmakers voted to exempt national public servants from immunity. A colleague used a fire extinguisher to extinguish Hanukkah candles during a ceremony last month. (AP Photo/Charek Sokolowski)
Last month's incident was an embarrassment for the new parliament, which was in its first session after elections in October, and the new pro-European Union government that was sworn in the next day.
During the Hanukkah ceremony, Brown grabbed a fire extinguisher and extinguished the candles on the menorah. A member of the Jewish community was sprayed, injured and hospitalized in the incident.
Polish leaders celebrate Hanukkah after menorah extinguished by far-right lawmaker
A few minutes later, Mr. Braun made a short statement from the parliamentary podium, with party leader Krzysztof Bosak presiding. The party later condemned Mr Brown's comments.
Lawmakers voted on Wednesday to allow Bosak to remain as deputy speaker, arguing that the party should be represented at that level, but the majority abstained or did not take part in the vote.
The Hanukkah ceremony was peacefully repeated two days later with the participation of President Andrzej Duda, signaling that anti-Semitism will not be tolerated.
Mr Brown was fined by council authorities in December.
