The Piebiak Association, composed of beneficiaries of Justice Minister Zbigniew Ziobro's judicial 'reforms,' including judge Łukasz Piebiak, has been barred by a court from circulating a manipulated photo of Waldemar Żurek. This court order comes ahead of Żurek's plans to file a lawsuit seeking an apology and compensation, indicating a significant legal step following a long-standing rivalry. The court's decision represents a symbolic success for Żurek, who has been a prominent opponent of Piebiak and has emerged victorious in this direct legal confrontation.

Żurek, a key figure advocating for judicial independence, was targeted during a harassment scandal when Piebiak served as Deputy Minister of Justice under Ziobro's administration. At that time, Piebiak and his close associates were implicated in organizing campaigns of discredit against judicial opponents, with Żurek being one of their main targets. The recent ruling not only underscores the growing tensions within Poland's judiciary but also highlights the ongoing battle over judicial reform and the integrity of the legal system amid political pressures.

Furthermore, the prosecutor's office is pursuing further action against Piebiak in connection with the harassing activities from his time in office, seeking to lift his immunity to press numerous criminal charges against him. This reflects a larger narrative within Polish politics where judicial independence is at stake, and raises questions about the future of legal accountability in the country's deeply polarized political climate. The case could set a precedent in the ongoing struggle between those advocating for independent judiciary and those seeking to concentrate judicial power within the political framework of the ruling party.