The Warsaw Prosecutor's Office is conducting an investigation into Srebrna, a company linked to Poland’s ruling Law and Justice (PiS) party, over allegations that Austrian businessman Gerald Birgfellner was misled and pressured into an unfavorable financial transaction worth at least €1.3 million.
A key figure in the case was Barbara Skrzypek, a longtime associate of PiS leader Jarosław Kaczyński, who was questioned by prosecutor Ewa Wrzosek on Wednesday, March 12, 2025.
Barbara Skrzypek’s testimony could be problematic for Kaczyński
According to Gazeta Wyborcza, Skrzypek testified that she had never signed a power of attorney authorizing Kaczyński to represent Srebrna at a shareholders' meeting in February 2018.
The newspaper's findings suggest that this document was crucial for Kaczyński to pass a resolution establishing Nuneaton, a company intended to carry out the construction of two skyscrapers in Warsaw. If Skrzypek's testimony is accurate, it could indicate that Kaczyński acted based on a falsified or invalid document.
Three days after her questioning, on March 15, Barbara Skrzypek passed away. In an interview with the right-wing TV Republika, Jarosław Kaczyński suggested that her death might be linked to the prosecutor’s actions.
Prosecutors deny allegations
Prosecutor Ewa Wrzosek dismissed claims that Skrzypek’s death was linked to her questioning, emphasizing it was conducted properly and without objections from her legal representative.
While Skrzypek mentioned feeling anxious and having vision issues, she did not report any serious health problems that would have prevented her from participating. The Warsaw Prosecutor’s Office warned of legal action against those suggesting otherwise.
Investigation transferred to ensure neutrality
To ensure impartiality, the case was transferred outside Warsaw. On Monday, Prosecutor Piotr Skiba stated that authorities were surprised to learn of Skrzypek’s death, which occurred in the early morning hours of March 15 at her home, with a family member present.
An emergency doctor who arrived at the scene confirmed her death as “sudden, cause unknown” and issued a death certificate. However, neither the police nor the prosecution were informed at the time, as her body was taken directly to a funeral home.
Once authorities became aware, police questioned relatives, who did not indicate any suspicion of foul play, according to the Polish state news agency PAP.
Poland reopens bribery investigation tied to PiS-linked Srebrna Tower project
Attorney Roman Giertych, who represents Birgfellner, confirmed that the investigation also involves allegations of a 50,000 zł (€11,000) bribe offered to a board member of the Lech Kaczyński Institute Foundation in exchange for abusing his authority.
"In my opinion, Barbara Skrzypek did not intend to harm Jarosław Kaczyński in any way, but she spoke the truth. And the truth regarding the two towers is extremely unfavorable for him," said lawyer Giertych through social media.
"It would have been enough if Kaczyński had paid his contractor," commented Poland's top diplomat, Radosław Sikorski, on his X (formerly Twitter) profile.
This case is a reopening of an earlier 2019 investigation, which was initially dismissed despite claims that Birgfellner was pressured to pay the bribe.
Ewa Wrzosek further stated that neither Skrzypek nor her legal counsel had raised concerns about her health before the questioning or requested a postponement. No complaints were filed following the proceedings. Nevertheless, Skrzypek’s sudden death has fueled political debate and widespread speculation.
Barbara Skrzypek, seen on the left in an archival photo from 2020, appears alongside Jarosław Kaczyński, the leader of Poland’s Law and Justice (PiS) party. Skrzypek passed away on March 15, and Kaczyński suggested her death might be linked to a prosecutorial inquiry she had been involved in. Photo: PAP/Łukasz Gągulski
Skrzypek’s statements could weaken Kaczyński’s influence on Poland’s right wing
Gazeta Wyborcza highlights that Skrzypek’s testimony could be particularly damaging for Jarosław Kaczyński, as it undermines his authority to make key decisions regarding the Srebrna investment. Although the events in question date back to 2018, their legal and political implications could still be significant.
Popular Polish investigative journalist Tomasz Piątek believes that "speculating about criminal hypotheses will turn against Jarosław Kaczyński."
Based on the columnist's findings, Barbara Skrzypek, who passed away on Saturday, was "a former government official from the People's Republic of Poland (PRL), who knew Kaczyński's scams and secrets. For instance, she knew what connected him to the communists. And she died just as she began to testify."
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Source: IAR/PAP/Gazeta Wyborcza/X/@sikorskiradek/@GiertychRoman/@Tomasz5ek/@Bertold_K/@Prok_Okreg_Wawa