Former deputy justice minister, Michał K. has been accused of money laundering in order to gain significant financial benefit, informed the Regional Prosecutor’s Office in Warsaw. He may face up to ten years in prison.
Michał K., the former deputy justice minister in Civic Platform and Polish People's Party coalition government, runs a law firm. He was detained in Szczecin on Wednesday by the Central Bereau of Police Investigations. Initially, he was supposed to hear formal charges in Białystok Prosecutor's Office.
The spokesperson for Białystok Prosecutor's Office, Paweł Sawoń informed on Thursday that the legal proceedings will take place the Regional Prosecutor's Office in Warsaw. As he explained, it's due to the economics of trials. During the day, necessary actions were being performed on the premises of the lawyer's firm who himself has been transported to Warsaw.
Nearly 20 people heard charges
The inquiry in the course of which Michał K. was detained is being carried out since 2015 by the Regional Prosecutor's Office in Białystok in cooperation with revenue agencies and the General Inspector of Financial Information.
They investigate an organized criminal group that operated not only in Poland but also in Slovakia, Croatia and the UK. The group is suspected of illegal fuel trade of estimated value of 700 million zloty. Furthermore, the group allegedly placed fuels on the Polish market and evaded the VAT. Its members are also suspected of money laundering.
In total, nearly 20 people heard charges in connection to this case.
Autor: gf / Źródło: TVN24, PAP
Źródło zdjęcia głównego: Senat Rzeczypospolitej Polskiej