His arrival in Poland is expected this evening, according to Deputy Interior Minister Czesław Mroczek, who shared the update on state broadcaster Polish Radio.
Szopa was deported following coordination between Poland's consular and prosecutorial services. “Minister Mroczek has confirmed Mr. Szopa’s return, and it’s understood that he assumes responsibility for Szopa’s current status,” Justice Minister Adam Bodnar explained, adding that the case marks a significant step in addressing allegations against Szopa and others for fraud linked to Poland’s Government Agency for Strategic Reserves (RARS) under the country's previous nationalist-populist government, led by the Prawo i Sprawiedliwość (Law and Justice) party.
Szopa and former RARS head Michał K., currently held in London awaiting extradition, are accused of embezzling substantial public funds through over-inflated contracts and misusing pandemic-era funding. Szopa’s companies allegedly received close to PLN 500 million (EUR 115 million) for RARS contracts, including overpriced power generators for Ukraine and medical supplies during the COVID-19 pandemic.
In the unfolding investigation, Polish prosecutors have charged both men with organized criminal activity, abuse of power, and dereliction of duty. Szopa had been on the run since early October, with his arrest coming after Polish authorities tracked him down in the Dominican Republic on October 25.
(jh)
Source: IAR, PAP