After strong international protest, the Polish activist Małgorzata “Margot” Szutowic was released prematurely from custody after three weeks. Actually, the court had ordered a period of two months – now a Warsaw court ruled in favor of her lawyers and announced that there were no reasons for her to remain in custody. Szutowic is accused of having, along with other activists, damaged a queer-hostile propaganda van in mid-June.

The arrest of the activist caused a worldwide sensation in mid-July, as Szutowic was dragged from her apartment by plain-clothes police without explanation. She is said to have worn neither shoes nor proper clothing. Although a Polish court initially rejected the request for remand in custody, a two-month detention order was issued three weeks ago. Allegedly, there was a danger of escape and of things being covered up.

The non-binary activist Małgorzata “Margot” Szutowic, who prefers the pronoun “she”, became a face of the Polish queer movement after her arrest in July. The police car that was supposed to take Margot to the detention center was blocked by queer activists on August 7. This resulted in internationally harshly criticised police violence and about 50 arrests. As a result, people protested worldwide against the situation in Poland.

In mid-August, international celebrities in art and culture wrote an open letter to EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. In this letter, they described Margot as a political prisoner being held for her refusal to accept humiliation, and called for consequences by the EU due to the queer developments in Poland.

Margot remains fierce

This Friday, Margot’s lawyers finally brought the detention to an early end. A court in Warsaw upheld a complaint by the lawyers and ordered her immediate release due to a lack of grounds for detention. The queer collective Stop Bzdurom subsequently published a statement by the activist. In it she presents herself strong and unbreakable. She says that she was bored most of the time in prison.

“I’m just learning everything you’ve done in the last few weeks and I’m full of admiration! I thank you for these wild expressions of solidarity. You are a great queer community – never doubt your strength. I will respond to the media starting next week. For now, give me time with my friends, love, sex and food.”

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