Polish prosecutors request Hungary to investigate fugitive ex-minister
A European Investigative Order (EIO) has been issued regarding Marcin Romanowski, a former Polish deputy justice minister who is wanted on corruption charges and currently hiding in Hungary, a spokesperson for the prosecutor general has said.
Speaking to PAP, Anna Adamiak did not reveal any specific content of the EIO.
An EIO is a mechanism established in the European Union (EU) by which a court in one EU member state can request law enforcement in another EU member state to assist in obtaining evidence in a criminal investigation.
The request is, in principle, binding for the executing country. Once issued, it must be recognised within 30 days, and the investigative measures requested must be carried out within 90 days following its recognition.
Romanowski, a deputy justice minister in the former Polish government led by the socially-conservative Law and Justice (PiS) party, is sought under a European Arrest Warrant (EAW) and accused of committing 11 crimes, which include defrauding PLN 107 million (EUR 25.5 mln) from the justice ministry's special-purpose reserve for crime victims and an attempt to defraud a further PLN 58 million (EUR 13.9 mln).
After he fled Poland, Romanowski secured political asylum in Hungary on December 19 last year, which caused tensions between the two countries.
In mid-March the Parliament of Budapest introduced amendments to the law on cooperation in criminal cases with EU member states. According to the Hungarian weekly HVG, the new provisions give the prosecutor general the opportunity to appeal a possible court decision to hand Romanowski over to Poland.
Furthermore, the Curia, Hungary's highest court, could overturn the lower court's decision on his possible extradition. (PAP)
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