Former deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs detained
Officers of the Lublin Regional Office of the Central Anti-Corruption Bureau detained a former deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs in an investigation related to paid protection in connection with speeding up visa procedures. The investigation is supervised by the Field Division of the National Prosecutor’s Office in Lublin.
Promises, intermediation and speeding up visa procedures for foreigners in exchange for financial advantage
CBA officers conduct an investigation under the supervision of the Field Division of the National Prosecutor’s Office in Lublin. The pre-trial investigation concerns, among others, the submission of promises to grant financial benefits in exchange for intermediation in arranging matters related to obtaining residence permits in the Republic of Poland for foreigners, as well as unlawful exertion of influence over the course of the procedure for issuing the permits by individuals performing public functions in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Former Secretary of State of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs charged with exceeding powers
On January 17, 2024, on the basis of the Prosecutor's order, CBA officers from the Regional Office in Lublin detained a man in the Mazovia Province. A search was conducted at the residence of the detained person in order to secure material evidence that could be of significance in the ongoing preliminary investigation.
The detainee was brought to the Field Division of the National Prosecutor’s Office in Lublin, where he faced charges under Article 231 § 2 of the Criminal Code in conjunction with Article 266 § 2 of the Criminal Code. The charges presented relate to the period from February 2022 to May 2023.
According to the evidence collected by the investigators, the detained Piotr W., who was a Secretary of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs from 2019 to 2023, within the framework of his duties, among other things, supervising the tasks performed by the Consular Department, exceeded powers by violating the procedures at the Ministry related to the registration and circulation of documents. In addition, the detainee faced charges for undertaking unjustified actions to expedite visa procedures, and disclosed information to an unauthorized person.
Preventive measures applied
The Prosecutor applied a non-custodial preventive measure in the form of a bail of PLN 100,000.0
The investigation is ongoing
This is another procedural implementation in the ongoing preparatory proceedings. In this case, a total of 9 people have already been charged.
CBA Press Team
