Disciplinary dismissals at the Academy of Justice

On Wednesday, Dr. Hab. Sławomir Cudak - acting rector of the Academy of Justice - decided to disciplinary dismissal of four university employees. Among them was the former rector, Dr. Michał Sopiński, as well as doctors: Mariusz Kuryłowicz, Iwona Lewandowska-Pierzynka and Kamila Chmiel. According to Maria Ejchart, the deputy minister of justice, the reason for the dismissals was "a serious violation of basic employee duties."

Żurek's comment and Sopiński's response

The decision was commented on by the Minister of Justice, Waldemar Żurek, who did not spare harsh words: "For years they thought that the uniformed university was their private fortress and political base. They were wrong," he wrote on the X platform.

Former rector Michał Sopiński does not intend to come to terms with the decision of the university authorities. In his statement, he called Sławomir Cudak a "usurper" and announced that he would report to the prosecutor's office about committing a crime by his successor. Sopiński claims that the actions of the current AWS management are the beginning of repression against university employees.

Political row

The situation surrounding the Academy of Justice caused a wide stir in the world of politics. There was a protest in front of the university's headquarters with the participation of Law and Justice MPs who opposed the presence of Sławomir Cudak. The police intervened on site.

PiS president Jarosław Kaczyński said that the events surrounding AWS are a "dress rehearsal before an attempt to take over the Constitutional Tribunal." PiS MP Maria Kurowska has also been staying in the building of the Academy of Justice for several days.

Behind the scenes of Sopiński's dismissal

The Ministry of Justice has been conducting administrative proceedings against Michał Sopiński since March 2026. As reported, the reasons for his dismissal concerned three main issues: irregularities in doctorate studies, demonstrative political activity and a threat to the probation officer training.

After reconsidering the case, on September 9, Minister Waldemar Żurek upheld the decision to dismiss Sopiński from the position of rector-commandant.

The Justice Academy, established in 2018, is to educate officers of the Prison Service, other services and civilians.