The probe, led by the National Public Prosecutor's Office, is based on allegations that Macierewicz's move harmed Poland’s national security.
The investigation, announced on Friday, follows a complaint filed in late November by Gen. Jarosław Stróżyk, head of Poland's Military Counterintelligence Service.
In October, Stróżyk presented a report from a commission investigating Russian and Belarusian influence in Poland, which included accusations against Macierewicz. He subsequently submitted related documents to prosecutors.
The National Public Prosecutor’s Office confirmed that the inquiry concerns the period between November 2015 and October 2016, when Macierewicz served as defense minister.
The legal basis for the probe is Article 129 of Poland’s Penal Code, which criminalizes actions by public officials that harm the country’s interests in dealings with foreign governments or organizations.
Convictions under this law carry prison sentences ranging from one to 10 years.
The allegations center on Macierewicz's decision to withdraw Poland from NATO's Multinational Multi-Role Tanker Transport Fleet (MMF) program.
This initiative, launched in 2014 with Poland, the Netherlands and Norway as initial participants, aimed to jointly purchase and operate Airbus A330 MRTT aircraft, capable of refueling fighter jets mid-air as well as providing transport and medical evacuation support.
The Polish air force’s participation in the program was known as the Karkonosze project.
According to the National Public Prosecutor’s Office, Macierewicz’s decision not to proceed with the initiative reduced the operational capabilities of Poland’s armed forces and negatively impacted the country’s strategic security.
Additionally, the office said that Poland lost EUR 473,600 in preparatory expenses already incurred for the program.
Military experts, including Gen. Ireneusz Nowak of the Polish Air Force Command, have repeatedly stressed the importance of aerial refueling capabilities, arguing that they would significantly enhance the effectiveness of Poland’s fighter jet fleet.
Macierewicz, who has denied any wrongdoing, justified his decision on financial grounds and concerns that Poland would not have full control over the tankers, as their deployment would be subject to approval by other participating NATO members.
He pledged at the time that Poland would continue its Karkonosze program independently to acquire its own refueling aircraft. However, no such purchase has been made to date.
Meanwhile, the MMF program has expanded, with Belgium, Germany, Luxembourg and the Czech Republic joining the initiative.
The allied fleet currently operates eight Airbus A330 MRTT tankers, stationed in Eindhoven, in the Netherlands, and Cologne in Germany.
Before launching the investigation, prosecutors conducted a preliminary inquiry, including questioning Stróżyk.
The case adds to growing scrutiny of Macierewicz, a prominent figure in the previously ruling Law and Justice (PiS) party.
(rt/gs)
Source: IAR, PAP