Mayor of Wrocław detained and charged in Collegium Humanum case

Jacek Sutryk was detained by agents of the Central Anti-Corruption Bureau (CBA) on Thursday morning. Following procedural actions, he was transported to the regional branch of the National Prosecutor's Office in Katowice.

There, the prosecutor officially presented charges against him, as confirmed by Przemysław Nowak just before 8:00 PM. "At this stage, we are not disclosing the details of the charges. The interrogation is still ongoing," he noted.

The Mayor of Wrocław remains in custody.

"Agents of the Central Anti-Corruption Bureau (CBA) detained the Mayor of Wrocław. The case involves allegations of irregularities and suspected criminal activity related to the widely publicized Collegium Humanum case, which has been ongoing for several months. The man was detained this morning at his residence, after which the CBA agents conducted procedural activities," said Jacek Dobrzyński, the spokesperson for the Ministry of the Interior and Administration.

According to Dobrzyński, the detention was carried out in a standard and lawful manner. Everything was done very calmly, without any incidents or sensationalism.

To date, 28 individuals have been detained in connection with the Collegium Humanum case, facing nearly 150 criminal charges.

"Following the order of the prosecutor from the Silesian branch of the National Prosecutor’s Office (PZ PK), CBA officers detained the Mayor of Wrocław today. Jacek S. will face charges in the investigation concerning irregularities at the former Collegium Humanum university. Details will be provided after the completion of the procedural activities," Przemysław Nowak informed earlier in the afternoon.

Wrocław City Hall has commented on the detention of Jacek Sutryk.

"The Mayor of Wrocław is providing explanations in Katowice. The local branch of the National Public Prosecutor's Office is conducting an investigation into this university. The mayor has already been questioned in this matter previously," Wrocław City Hall Press Office said.

"The office is functioning normally and continues to fulfill its daily responsibilities. In the event of any absence of the Mayor of Wrocław, decisions related to the city’s operations are made by the First Deputy, that is, Deputy Mayor Renata Granowska," the press office added.

In March 2023, the Collegium Humanum scandal erupted when the Central Anti-Corruption Bureau (CBA) detained two individuals under suspicion of accepting financial and personal benefits. The case involved the sale of diplomas by this private higher education institution.

Collegium Humanum was established in 2018 in Warsaw. According to media reports, it offered accelerated courses that allowed participants to obtain an MBA diploma. Such diplomas facilitated the application for positions on supervisory boards of state-owned companies.

The credibility of the diplomas issued by Collegium Humanum was purportedly backed by foreign universities. However, it was later revealed that these institutions lacked the authority to conduct MBA programs.

Among the graduates of Collegium Humanum were politicians, CEOs, members of supervisory boards of state-owned companies, intelligence officers, and military commanders.