Dominican Republic to deport suspect Paweł Szopa wanted by Poland

Paweł Szopa was located by the Polish police in the Dominican Republic and was arrested by local authorities on Friday afternoon (October 25). Szopa is wanted in connection with an investigation into irregularities at the Government Strategic Reserves Agency (RARS), in which he is a suspect.

Since October 10, Szopa had been wanted under an Interpol Red Notice. Previously, a wanted notice and a European Arrest Warrant had been issued against him.

"The authorities of the Dominican Republic have decided to transfer suspect Paweł S. to Poland as part of the deportation process. Discussions are ongoing regarding the date of the transfer," the National Prosecutor's Office informed on Tuesday afternoon via the X platform.

"There is a deportation decision concerning Paweł S. We will execute it," said Prosecutor Anna Adamiak, spokesperson for the National Prosecutor's Office.

On Friday - the day of Szopa's arrest in the Dominican Republic - Adamiak stated that Szopa's transfer to Poland could occur through extradition or deportation procedures.

The spokesperson emphasized that the latter is "much more efficient." "Since it is an administrative procedure, at least in Poland, the relevant commander of the Border Guard makes the decision in this regard," she explained. She added that "it could take just a few days." In contrast, extradition is a multi-stage process that includes a judicial stage and appeal options for the pursued person.

The investigation into irregularities at the Government Strategic Reserves Agency - launched on December 1, 2023 - concerns, among other things, the abuse of power and failure to fulfill duties by RARS employees during the organization and implementation of procurement of goods, thus acting to the detriment of public interest from February 23, 2021, to November 27, 2023, in Warsaw for the purpose of achieving financial gain.

The prosecutor has already brought charges against five individuals. The charges involve participation in an organized criminal group, abuse of power by public officials, and, in the case of one of the suspects, money laundering. Szopa is one of the suspects in the irregularities case at RARS.

Aside from Szopa, former RARS president Michał K. is also a suspect in the investigation. The prosecutor accuses him of participating in an organized criminal group, abusing his power and failing to fulfill his duties to achieve financial gain. He faces up to 10 years in prison.

On August 31, a European Arrest Warrant and an arrest warrant covering the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland were issued against him. On September 2, he was arrested by police in London. The following day, the magistrate's court in the Westminster district of London ruled that Michał K. would remain in custody pending extradition proceedings. The court scheduled a hearing for February 17-19, 2025.

At the hearing on September 10, the magistrate's court did not agree to release Michał K. on bail. He later again requested release from custody. However, the court in London rejected his request at a hearing on October 2. Another hearing regarding Michał K. will take place on October 30 in the same court.