Poland abortion ruling: Police use pepper spray against protesters

Police in Poland have used pepper spray against hundreds of people protesting in Warsaw against a court ruling that almost completely bans abortions.

Protesters clashed with riot police outside the home of Deputy Prime Minister Jaroslaw Kaczynski.

It follows Thursday’s ruling from the top court that ending the life of a deformed foetus is unconstitutional.

It means abortion is only valid in cases of rape or incest, or to protect the mother’s life.

Poland’s abortion laws were already among the strictest in Europe and it is estimated that about 100,000 women seek a termination abroad each year to get around the tight restrictions.

The ruling by the Constitutional Tribunal led to protests in other cities across Poland on Thursday evening, including Krakow, Lodz and Szczecin.In Warsaw, hundreds of people marched from the court to the home of Jaroslaw Kaczynski – who heads the governing Law and Justice party – to vent their anger at the ruling. Some held candles or carried signs with the word “torture” on them.

Current coronavirus restrictions limit public gatherings in Warsaw to just 10 people.

Police said officers used pepper spray and physical force when some protesters threw stones and tried to push through the cordon around the house. A spokesman said 15 people were detained.