Michal K., the former chairman of the Polish government's Agency for Strategic Reserves (ASR), was arrested in London, the country's National Prosecutor's Office reported, quoted by the Polish news agency PAP, quoted by BTA.
“Michal K. was detained today in London“, the National Prosecutor's Office of Poland wrote this afternoon on its profile on the social network “X“ (formerly Twitter).
The District Court in Warsaw issued a European arrest warrant for Kuchmerowski, who is accused of exceeding his powers while in office to receive financial benefits.
The court said it issued both the European arrest warrant and one valid for Great Britain and Northern Ireland on August 31.
Earlier, to begin searching the suspect, prosecutors applied to the District Court in Katowice, southern Poland, for a remand in the form of temporary detention.
The case was widely covered in the Polish media and was related to the cooperation between ASR, led by Michal K., and the patriotic clothing company “Red from Bed“, owned by businessman Pavel S.< /p>
The Polish news site “Onet“ first revealed the scandal. In its article, the media stated that the previous government of “Law and Justice” (PiS), led by Mateusz Morawiecki, has entered into a special relationship with Pavel Sh., aiming to embezzle public funds on an unprecedented scale.
According to the portal, the businessman has become a supplier of various goods - from protective equipment during the pandemic to electricity generators.
„Onet“ announced that over a period of three years, funds in the amount of 500 million zlotys (approximately BGN 230 million) were transferred to Pavel Š.'s bank account, and the contracts between him and the ASR led by Kuchmerovski were were signed without announcing a tender procedure.
According to the prosecutor's office, the investigation covers public procurements organized by ASR between February 23, 2021 and November 27, 2023, and found that these procurements led to financial benefits for Michal K.
In the course of the investigation into irregularities in the ASR, prosecutors brought charges of participation in an organized criminal group, abuse of authority and failure to fulfill official duties, which benefited both Michal K. and Pavel Sh.
Both face sentences of up to 10 years in prison.