Marcin Romanowski, the former deputy justice minister, was detained by Poland’s security service on Monday as part of an investigation into the misuse of public funds.
Prosecutors have charged Romanowski with 11 offenses, including abusing his authority and inflicting financial harm on the state treasury for personal gain.
On Tuesday, Romanowski’s lawyer, Bartosz Lewandowski, stated that his client pleaded not guilty and refused to sign any legal documents.
Romanowski and several MPs recently had their parliamentary immunity revoked, allowing prosecutors to pursue potential misconduct tied to the previous administration. However, Lewandowski argues that the removal of Romanowski’s immunity was invalid, rendering his detention unlawful.
The lawyer also noted that Romanowski underwent medical examinations before being taken into custody but declined to disclose any details.
Romanowski, a member of the far-right Sovereign Poland party, served as deputy justice minister from 2019 to December 2023.
His arrest was first revealed by his attorney on X and later confirmed by the National Prosecutor’s Office.
Former Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki criticized the arrest, calling it a politically motivated attempt to intimidate the opposition.
By FCCT Editorial Team
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