Police deployed during stand-off over control of Poland's top court

A political stand-off over Poland's top court, the Constitutional Tribunal, has broken out after the government suspended its two senior justices and moved to bring criminal charges against them.

Polish Justice Minister Waldemar Żurek said he had requested stripping the court's President Bogdan Święczkowski and Vice-President Bartłomiej Sochański of their immunity from prosecution to bring criminal charges against them.

Right-wing politicians from the opposition Law and Justice (PiS) party gathered outside the court premises in Warsaw to protest against the move.

Riot police were deployed to prevent any demonstrators from entering the court building.

In a social media post, the Constitutional Tribunal wrote that the two men were still the legally appointed senior justices of the court.

"All persons participating in these actions are committing the crime of a coup d'etat," it said.

Prime Minister Donald Tusk said his government was acting to restore the rule of law.

In a social media post, Tusk wrote: "Restoring the rule of law is our duty. After years of Law and Justice's lawlessness, this is a difficult, sometimes painful process that requires decisive action. There is no other way."

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