Jacek Sutryk back at work after hearing corruption charges

Sutryk reassured residents that city operations remain unaffected, stating: " I want to reassure everyone that nothing is happening in the city. The whole matter is strange to me." He described his routine upon returning: "I came straight from Katowice, got dressed, cleaned up, and am working as usual."

Commenting on the legal proceedings, Sutryk remarked: "The prosecutor's office did its job, I did mine by providing extensive explanations, and the rest will be handled by the court."

In a conversation with TVN24 reporter Tomasz Kanik, Wrocław Mayor Jacek Sutryk addressed questions regarding the Collegium Humanum case, calling it a significant scandal. Sutryk noted: "Yes, it is, as we’ve discussed. But no one in 2020 or even 2021 anticipated how it would unfold. At that time, it was a model, developing institution, seen as serious, with many journalists, lecturers, and politicians involved, as well as thousands of students."

Asked about his experience studying at Collegium Humanum, Sutryk declined to elaborate, stating that this was part of the 17-hour testimony he provided to the prosecutor’s office.

Sutryk rejected allegations that his diploma from Collegium Humanum was obtained illegally. "That’s why I spent 17 hours there—to clarify these issues and to state that I disagree with many of them, or that some are outright absurd."

Pressed by Kanik about whether he plans to step down, Sutryk firmly dismissed the idea: "Why should I resign? We have a record budget for 2025—8 billion złotys, up from 4 billion when I started. We’re managing numerous projects, and we’re delivering on them."

Sutryk added that he hasn’t encountered calls for his resignation: "Quite the opposite. I’ve received support from many residents of Wrocław."

"The people of Wrocław elected me, and they can decide. I understand that this is always an opportunity for political opponents to stir things up and make such demands, but I have no intention of stepping down. I’m listening to the voices of residents, and I’m grateful for their words of sympathy and recognition," he added.

Jacek Sutryk also announced his return to work via social media.

"I am at work, fulfilling my duties as usual; Wrocław cannot wait," he wrote.

Tomasz Tadla, the head of the Silesian branch of the National Prosecutor’s Office, stated that prosecutors have charged Jacek Sutryk with giving a financial benefit to the former rector of Collegium Humanum. Tadla explained that the alleged bribe was given so that Sutryk could receive an MBA diploma for postgraduate studies he did not complete.

After obtaining the diploma, Sutryk reportedly used it within several municipal entities. "On this basis, knowing the document was essential to serve on supervisory boards, he fraudulently obtained over 230,000 zlotys," Tadla informed.

In a Friday statement from the National Prosecutor's Office, it was revealed that Sutryk faces four charges in total: one of corruption and three related to fraud. These include "using a falsified document to mislead representatives of various municipal entities and securing unauthorized benefits."

Sutryk denies all allegations. "I did not pay any bribe, and we will certainly discuss this further," he asserted.