2024-12-18 14:51 update: 2024-12-18, 14:52
Photo: PAP/Wojciech Szubartowski
Polish prosecutors will ask the court to issue a European Arrest Warrant (EAW) for a former deputy justice minister accused of defrauding money from a ministry fund, the national prosecutor has announced.
"Today, the request for a European Arrest Warrant is being prepared and will be filed," Dariusz Korneluk said in an interview for Polish Radio Three on Wednesday.
He also told the journalist that prosecutors had already requested Interpol to issue a Red Notice for Marcin Romanowski, who now is a member of parliament representing the former ruling party, Law and Justice (PiS).
Later in the day, Bartosz Lewandowski, the politician's lawyer, wrote on the X platform that he would ask Interpol to reject the Red Notice request, arguing the alleged offence did not meet its criteria.
Romanowski is accused of defrauding PLN 107 million (EUR 25 mln) and an attempt to defraud a further PLN 58 million (EUR 13.56 mln) from the justice ministry fund, a special-purpose reserve aimed at helping victims of crimes.
Last week, a Warsaw court ruled that Romanowski should remain in custody for three months pending trial. After he did not appear for a court hearing, the prosecution issued an arrest warrant for him on Thursday.
According to the prosecutors, Romanowski's whereabouts remain unknown and, as of December 6, he has not used the phones registered in his name. (PAP)
wpb/jch
