Businessman Janusz Palikot to remain in custody until January

The Wrocław-Śródmieście District Court agreed with the prosecution's request to extend Janusz Palikot's detention by another month, keeping him in custody until January 1.

This follows a previous court ruling in October, when Palikot was placed in two months of detention with an option to be released after posting a 1 million zloty bail.

However, both the prosecution and the defense appealed this decision, leading to the current ruling.

The prosecution has argued that Palikot’s continued detention is necessary due to concerns about potential tampering with evidence and the severity of the charges against him. Palikot, along with his associates Przemysław B. and Zbigniew B., was arrested by the Central Anti-Corruption Bureau (CBA) in early October. They have been charged with multiple offenses related to fraudulent activities.

Janusz Palikot has been charged with eight offenses, including seven counts of fraud and one count of embezzlement of property. His associates, Przemysław B. and Zbigniew B., also face charges of fraud, with Przemysław B. additionally charged with embezzlement.

The charges are related to fraudulent activities that led to the mismanagement of assets amounting to nearly 70 million zlotys, affecting thousands of people. These actions are tied to the operations of companies owned by the suspects, with the charges spanning from 2019 to 2023.

The prosecution has applied preventive measures for the accused, such as freedom-restricting conditions. However, Palikot is to remain in custody until at least January 1, 2024.