Palikot, along with two associates, was arrested by Poland's Central Anti-Corruption Bureau (CBA) on Thursday, with detentions occurring in the eastern cities of Lublin and Biłgoraj.
Prosecutors have requested that Palikot be held in pre-trial detention.
His associates, identified only as Przemysław B. and Zbigniew B., were released with restrictions, including a ban on leaving the country, financial guarantees and ban on contacting any witnesses.
The case is being handled by the Lower Silesian Branch of the Department for Organized Crime and Corruption in the southwestern city of Wrocław.
The charges stem from alleged fraudulent activities that took place between 2019 and 2023. These activities involved misleading investors in relation to the sale of Series B shares by companies under the defendants' control, as well as through promotional loan campaigns they organized.
According to prosecutor Katarzyna Calów-Jaszewska, over 5,000 victims were defrauded in connection with these schemes, leading to financial losses estimated at PLN 70 million (approximately USD 16.5 million).
Prosecutors claim that false information was provided to investors regarding how their funds would be used and the true financial condition of the companies involved.
Instead of being directed toward the stated investment purposes, the money was reportedly used to cover the companies' pre-existing liabilities.
Palikot and his associates also face an embezzlement charge related to the unauthorized sale of alcoholic beverages worth over PLN 5 million.
Prosecutors allege that after a contract with a business partner was terminated, the defendants kept the alcohol stored in their warehouses and sold it to outside parties.
Palikot, who has agreed to the publication of his name and image, has denied the charges. His lawyer, Jacek Dubois, criticized the decision to seek Palikot's detention, saying that his client should have been released after the charges were filed.
Dubois emphasized that Palikot maintains his innocence.
Prosecutors argue that Palikot's potential sentence of up to 20 years in prison and the risk of him obstructing justice justify their request for pre-trial detention.
According to the prosecutors, all of the suspects have provided extensive statements, but investigators are not disclosing the details.
(rt/gs)
Source: IAR, PAP