On Friday, the Polish Parliament lifted MP Marcin Romanowski’s immunity and approved his detention and temporary arrest. Romanowski, who served as Deputy Minister of Justice from 2019 to 2023, is under investigation by the National Prosecutor’s Office for alleged irregularities in the Justice Fund.
Allegations and Evidence
Prosecutors claim they have gathered evidence to charge Romanowski with 11 offenses, including participation in an organized group aimed at committing property crimes, abuse of power, neglect of duty, and falsification of documents, causing significant financial damage to the state treasury. The investigation focuses on the mismanagement, distribution, and settlement of funds from the Justice Fund, overseen by Romanowski during his tenure.
The National Prosecutor’s Office stated that Romanowski’s detention was necessary due to the justified fear of unlawful interference in the proceedings and the urgent need for preventive measures. These conditions, outlined in Article 247 § 1 point 2 and § 2 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, prompted the immediate issuance of a detention order following the receipt of documents from the Sejm.
Romanowski’s Position
Despite the serious charges, Romanowski has repeatedly declared his innocence and assured that he would not evade justice. He had planned to voluntarily appear before the prosecutor’s office on Friday. However, the authorities proceeded with his arrest to ensure the integrity of the investigation.