Officers of the Central Anti-Corruption Bureau (CBA) detained 25 people on Wednesday, 4 November, in an investigation by the Regional Prosecutor’s Office in Białystok into mismanagement during construction of the Ostrołęka C coal-fired unit. On Thursday, prosecutors confirmed that procedural actions with the detainees were ongoing, and said details would be presented at a press conference on Friday.
Detentions and searches in 11 voivodeships
On the orders of prosecutors from Białystok, officers of the CBA’s Gdańsk Branch carried out numerous searches on Wednesday. According to prosecution spokesman Prosecutor Zbigniew Szpiczka, the detentions were made „in connection with the planned presentation of charges and the taking of explanations.” The operation covered about 30 locations in 11 voivodeships. The detainees were taken to Białystok, where procedural actions with them are being carried out. On Thursday, the prosecution did not disclose details and referred to the press conference scheduled for Friday.
What the investigation concerns
The proceedings concern mismanagement in the construction of the „Ostrołęka C Power Plant” coal-fired unit and cover the years 2018–2019. Prosecutors estimate the property damage suffered by Elektrownia Ostrołęka, Enea and Energa at over PLN 1 billion. The case was based, among other things, on notifications from the Supreme Audit Office (NIK) and a notification filed by Adam Szłapka. NIK had previously found that the management board of Elektrownia Ostrołęka, in withdrawing from the construction and settling the interrupted investment, acted contrary to the terms of the contract and uneconomically.
What the prosecutor general said
Justice Minister and Prosecutor General Waldemar Żurek said at a press conference on Wednesday that those detained are presidents, vice presidents and members of the management and supervisory boards of the energy companies Enea, Energa and Elektrownia Ostrołęka. They are suspected, among other things, of failing to perform their duties and exceeding their powers, including concluding a contract to implement the Ostrołęka C project and issuing an order to begin works without secured financing. This was allegedly meant to lead to withdrawal from the project and to losses for the companies.
Żurek also confirmed searches at the homes of two people who are members of parliament. He disclosed neither their names nor their initials, and described the main goal of the actions as securing further evidence. He did not answer how many people the prosecution would seek temporary arrest for.
Spokesman for the Minister-Coordinator of Special Services Jacek Dobrzyński said on Thursday that he had no knowledge of the charges being brought, because the actions are being carried out by prosecutors in Białystok. In line with the presumption of innocence, those detained remain innocent until a final court judgment. As of publication, the prosecution had not officially released a list of those detained or the final wording of the charges.
