Tomasz Greniuch

Tomasz Greniuch (1982[1]-) is a Polish historian, formerly employed by the Institute of National Remembrance. In his youth he was associated with far-right groups which caused a media controversy in 2021.

Biography

Greniuch is among the great-grandsons of Józef Piłsudski.[2] He graduated in history from the University of Opole and received his doctorate from the Catholic University of Lublin on the cursed soldiers who fought under the command of Henryk Flame.[3] An active cadre of National Radical Camp (ONR) — a fascist anti-semitic ultranationalist organization — and spokesperson of its Opole circle, Greniuch commemorated anti-Jewish pogroms, greeted others with the Nazi salute, and raised White supremacist slogans.[3][4][5] On an occasion when he was investigated by the local police and threatened with expulsion by the university, he defended the Nazi salute, claiming that it was a pan-nationalist greeting with its origins among the Romans and he cannot be blamed for its usurpation by Hitler.[3]

In 2018, Greniuch joined the Institute of National Remembrance (IPN) as a historian.[2][6] In an interview in 2019, Greniuch maintained subscribing to ONR's views but lamented having to temper his behavior in light of professional commitments.[5]

Termination from IPN

On 9 February 2021, the incumbent Law and Justice Party government appointed Greniuch as the acting head of the Wroclaw branch of the IPN.[7] The decision spurred controversy and drew sharp criticism from the political opposition, historians, journalists, survivors of the Holocaust, and Israel.[7] In response, Greniuch tendered an apology for his "youthful bravado" and cited a list of relatives who fell victim to the Nazis;[2] though the IPN initially upheld his appointment, highlighting his apology and freedom of speech, a fortnight later, they accepted his resignation and dismissed him for corroding public trust in the institution.[3][7][8]

References
  1. "Zmiana na stanowisku dyrektora Oddziału IPN we Wrocławiu" [Change in the director of the IPN branch in Wrocław]. Instytut Pamięci Narodowej (in Polish). Archived from the original on 2023-03-25. Retrieved 2023-03-25.
  2. Narodowej, Instytut Pamięci. "Nigdy nie byłem nazistą, za nieodpowiedzialny gest sprzed kilkunastu laty jeszcze raz przepraszam i uważam to za błąd – powiedział dr Tomasz Greniuch" ["I have never been a Nazi, I once again apologize for an irresponsible gesture a dozen years ago and consider it a mistake," said Dr. Tomasz Greniuch]. Instytut Pamięci Narodowej (in Polish). Archived from the original on 2023-03-12. Retrieved 2023-03-12.
  3. Kijek, Karolina (2 February 2021). "Spadkobierca przedwojennych faszystów nowym szefem IPN we Wrocławiu. Bronił hajlowania i hasła "Polska cała tylko biała"" [Heir of pre-war fascists is the new head of the IPN in Wrocław. He defended Nazi salute and the slogan "Poland all white only"]. Gazeta Wyborcza (in Polish). Archived from the original on 13 March 2023. Retrieved 13 March 2023.
  4. Kijek, Karolina (9 February 2021). "IPN broni nowego szefa we Wrocławiu: "Zarzuty dotyczą zachowań z czasów jego młodości"" [IPN defends new chief in Wroclaw: "The allegations concern behaviour from his youth"]. Gazeta Wyborcza (in Polish). Archived from the original on 13 March 2023. Retrieved 13 March 2023.
  5. "Polish historian with far-right past resigns from state job". AP News. 2021-04-20. Archived from the original on 2023-03-12. Retrieved 2023-03-12.
  6. Walenciak, Weronika; Dobrosz-Oracz, Justyna. "Opozycja: Prezes IPN do dymisji. "Napluto w twarz żołnierzom AK"". Wyborcza.pl (in Polish). Retrieved 2023-08-26.
  7. "Tomasz Greniuch stracił pracę w IPN" [Tomasz Greniuch lost his job at the IPN]. www.rmf24.pl (in Polish). Archived from the original on 2023-03-12. Retrieved 2023-03-12.
  8. "Polish historian with far-right past resigns from state job". The Independent. 2021-02-22. Retrieved 2023-08-30.


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