In December 2023, based on materials made publicly available on social media, a report entitled “Who is Adrian?” was created. We believe that it was precisely to block and remove this film from the Internet that Father Andrzej Jarosiewicz sued istotne.pl editor Krzysztof Gwizdała.
In February 2024, the priest sued journalist Krzysztof Gwizdała for infringement of personal rights. The first hearing took place in 2025. After hearing many witnesses, including other priests, the Regional Court in Jelenia Góra dismissed the priest’s lawsuit. This means that Father Andrzej Jarosiewicz lost the case. The judgment is not final.
“This judgment is entirely correct. I cannot comment on the details of the reasoning because the proceedings were held behind closed doors. What can I say? First, I believe that the claimant’s demands were not intended to protect any personal rights, but rather served to gag public debate and freedom of the press. Second, the standards of freedom of expression and freedom of the press were not violated in this case; the subject of the dispute was reliable press material prepared in accordance with the requirements of journalistic diligence. Third, SLAPP proceedings are a serious problem for the justice system, as they unjustifiably occupy court dockets and generate unnecessary costs and stress for defendants,” says legal counsel Marcin Pawelec-Jakowiecki, who, together with Agata Bzdyń, represented Krzysztof Gwizdała. The case was also supported by the Freedom from Religion Foundation.
It should also be noted that Father Andrzej Jarosiewicz and Adrian Drankowski brought two criminal cases in Bolesławiec, suing the entire istotne.pl editorial team—four journalists. This case ended in July 2025. The journalists were acquitted at first instance. Following an appeal against that judgment filed by Dankowski and Jarosiewicz, on March 19, 2026, the appellate court upheld the acquittal of three journalists and partially upheld it for the editor-in-chief—it overturned the judgment insofar as it concerned the priest and referred the case back for reconsideration by the District Court in Bolesławiec. However, Krzysztof Gwizdała’s lawyers filed a complaint, and it is possible that the case will not go to Bolesławiec but will return to Jelenia Góra—the Supreme Court will decide.
The film “Who is Adrian?” was nominated for an award by the Association of Local Newspapers, LOCAL PRESS 2023.
Many people are supporting us financially in our court battle with the priest
Until now, all those who went to the curia in Legnica to look after their parishes, but left convinced that they meant nothing, that nobody listened to them and that they were unimportant to the bishop, could turn to us—the journalists.
That was the case with Father Zbigniew Pędziwiatr from Bolesławiec, Father Janusz Wilk from Gościszów and Father Andrzej Łuczkowski from Lubomierz. It also concerned parishioners from Węgliniec who opposed the transfer of Father Andrzej Jarosiewicz to their town. However, when they took the matter to Bishop Andrzej Siemieniewski, he showed them that they had no say in it.
If we, the journalists of istotne.pl, give in, episcopal arrogance will prevail. The humiliation of those without whom the Catholic Church would not exist will continue to happen in silence.
We are extremely grateful for this support. We thank our donors from the bottom of our hearts.
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