Police are actively monitoring an application to Interpol for the release of the alleged Red Note for Marcin Romanowski, a erstwhile Deputy Justice Minister who is suspected of many crimes in the Justice Fund investigation. According to the Police Headquarters, on Wednesday it will be 1 period after the submission of this request, and the case remains in the analysis phase by the Interpol General Secretariat in Lyon.
Interpol examines the request from Poland
A spokesperson for the Police Chief, Katarzyna Nowak, confirmed that the global Police Cooperation Office directed a reminder to Interpol headquarters. "The Red Note has been entered into Interpol bases and is presently subject to a verification procedure", explains Nowak. A akin position was presented by the Advocate General, Proc. Anna Adamiak, indicating that the examination of the application is inactive ongoing.
Red Note – a powerful tool in global search
Interpol's Red Note is 1 of the most effective forms of global search, allowing the search for a individual to be stopped in 195 countries. In the case of Marcin Romanowski, a erstwhile Deputy Minister of Justice, who has utilized political asylum in Hungary since December 2024, it could importantly increase the chances of detention and extradition.
Policy asylum problems in Hungary
The Hungarian authorities gave Romanowski political exile status, which could affect Interpol's decision. The Statute of that organisation excludes the anticipation of introducing data of persons persecuted politically into its bases. Romanowski himself claims that he cannot number on a fair trial in Poland, and the charges against him are political.
General Adam Rapacki, erstwhile deputy chief of the Ministry of abroad Affairs, noted: "In the context of Poland, a democratic country, the argument about the "infringement of rights and freedoms" of the individual in connection with the application to Interpol was never raised". However, it adds that the political asylum situation puts the procedure in question.
European arrest warrant inactive in force
Romanowski remains prosecuted by the European Arrest Warrant (ENA), issued by the Warsaw court on 18 December 2024. Its data are included in the Schengen Information strategy (SIS), which means that any EU country can hold it. However, extradition can be rejected if the country's authorities consider that Romanowski may be politically persecuted.
Charges against Romanowski
The National Prosecutor's Office accuses Romanowski of committing 11 crimes, including the setting of competitions under the Justice Fund and activities in an organized criminal group. A fewer days ago, lawyer General Adam Bodnar asked the Minister of Justice of Hungary for information on the procedure for the transfer of Romanowski on the basis of ENA.
What's next?
Interpol's decision on the Red Note may be of crucial importance for further actions of Polish law enforcement authorities. As noted by the erstwhile advanced Officer of the Police Headquarters, Interpol usually makes decisions within a fewer weeks of receipt of the request. However, in the case of Romanowski, given the political context, the procedure may extend.
At the moment, Romanowski's destiny depends on Interpol's decision and the position of the Hungarian authorities, which must decide whether the erstwhile Deputy Minister can be issued to Poland on the basis of ENA.
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Interpol Police on Red Note for fugitive Marcin Romanowski
