The European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) has submitted a request to the Polish Sejm to lift the immunity of a member of parliament in connection with suspected influence peddling tied to the modernization of tram infrastructure in the Upper Silesian–Zagłębie Metropolis. Unofficial reports suggest the case concerns a deputy chairman of the Civic Coalition parliamentary club.
The investigation relates to suspicions of both active and passive corruption linked to the activities of an entity responsible for upgrading tram infrastructure in the Upper Silesian–Zagłębie Metropolis. The investment is financed by the European Union in the amount of PLN 1.9 billion for the years 2007–2027.
Prosecutors stated that in December 2025, a person holding a high public office was arrested and remains in pre-trial detention. The suspect is accused of having provided confidential information to a favored company since 2021 in order to secure the awarding of a contract. Evidence gathered so far indicates that bribes were paid in exchange for approving inflated costs or settling fictitious works.
The evidence also shows that in several cases, financial benefits were transferred to the MP. In order for the EPPO to continue its investigation, European Chief Prosecutor Laura Kövesi on Tuesday requested that the immunity of the Polish lawmaker be lifted. According to unofficial reports by Onet, the individual in question is Wojciech Król of the Civic Coalition.
The EPPO also reported that in recent weeks, the Central Anti-Corruption Bureau (CBA) – Katowice branch – carried out searches in private apartments and the MP’s office. Six people were detained and charged with corruption-related offenses.
The CBA, in turn, stated that the investigation—conducted under the supervision of the EPPO—concerns financial damages of approximately €1 million.
“Findings from the investigation indicate that a corrupt arrangement was operating within the company. As part of personal and corporate links, confidential information was being passed to a favored firm in the construction engineering sector,” the CBA press team said in a statement.
Investigators estimate that the total value of financial benefits accepted by individuals involved in the corruption scheme amounts to nearly PLN 2.7 million.