Police deployed during stand-off over control of Poland's top court

In a social media post, the Constitutional Tribunal wrote that the two men were still the legally appointed senior justices of the court.

"All persons participating in these actions are committing the crime of a coup d'etat," it said.

Prime Minister Donald Tusk said his government was acting to restore the rule of law.

In a social media post, Tusk wrote: "Restoring the rule of law is our duty. After years of Law and Justice's lawlessness, this is a difficult, sometimes painful process that requires decisive action. There is no other way."

President Karol Nawrocki, who is backed by PiS, ordered his plane be turned back to Warsaw on his way to Senegal to attend the Summer Youth Olympic Games.