As reported by Radio Poland on Thursday, a court issued an arrest warrant for Marcin Romanowski, who is currently wanted by the police but remains in hiding.
The prosecutor accuses him of committing 11 crimes, including participating in a criminal organization, rigging competitions for grants, and embezzling over 107 million PLN (25.02 million EUR or 26.26 million USD) and attempting to embezzle another 58 million PLN (13.56 million EUR or 14.24 million USD).
According to the National Prosecutor's Office, before disappearing, on December 4, the politician went to a medical facility for a planned nasal septum surgery, after which he turned off his phones and stopped logging in.
Based on photos published by Romanowski, Gazeta Wyborcza confirmed that it was a nasal septum surgery.
Two days after the procedure, Romanowski turned off his phones and stopped logging in, with his whereabouts remaining unknown over the weekend and Monday, the day he was supposed to attend his hearing.
The police confirmed that he did not leave the Schengen Area or board a flight, but they do not rule out the possibility that he may have been in a location that can be accessed without border control.
Romanowski's disappearance has sparked major controversy and a wave of comments across the society.
Poland’s Foreign Minister, Radosław Sikorski, called the situation scandalous, especially since it involves a former Deputy Minister of Justice who is evading accountability.
"When someone hides from justice, it’s like admitting guilt," the top diplomat said on Friday.
The National Prosecutor's Office has issued a wanted notice for Marcin Romanowski, who is hiding from law enforcement. The 48-year-old man, residing in Warsaw and Gilów, is 180 cm tall with blue eyes. Anyone with information about his whereabouts is urged to contact the police.
(photo: The Capital City Police Headquarters/KSP)
Read more about this subject:
Source: Radio Poland/PAP/GW/KSP
(m p)