Pomówienie

Pomówienie is a term in Polish law describing the act of imputing to another person the commission of a crime or other disreputable conduct that harms their reputation. It is a criminal offense under the Polish Penal Code and requires a deliberate false claim presented as fact, made with the aim of damaging the victim’s honor.

The offense differs from zniesławienie (slander). Pomówienie specifically concerns imputing criminal conduct or other seriously discrediting acts, whereas zniesławienie covers insulting or demeaning a person’s character without necessarily alleging a crime. Both are crimes in Polish law and can be pursued criminally, though they rest on different factual elements and purposes.

Elements typically include: an statement or assertion presented as fact, about another person, alleging the commission of a crime or discrediting behavior, made intentionally and publicly, and resulting in harm to reputation. Common contexts include statements in conversations, media, or online platforms.

Penalties for pomówienie may include a fine, restriction of liberty, or imprisonment, depending on the circumstances. Aggravated forms can apply if the statement is made publicly or through mass media, or if the act causes greater harm.

Defenses include truth of the statement (where verifiable), statements made in good faith, and assertions grounded in public interest or reasonable belief. In addition to criminal liability, victims may pursue civil remedies for damages caused by pomówienie.

Examples range from a public accusation of theft to a claim that a person engaged in illegal activity, made in media or social networks.