We uncover the chief sins of Obiek, which he committed during the office in Orlen

Daniel Obietek was head of Orlen for six years. Although he has no longer served as president since February, controversy surrounding his decisions continues. In addition, the spheres of failure of PLN 1.6 billion were revealed by the subsidiary of Orlen and 3 investigations were initiated by the prosecution. These are the main charges against Daniel Obatek.

Obietek assumed the position of president of Orlen on 6 February 2018, replacing Wojciech Jasiński from PiS. After precisely six years, in February 2024, he ended his word of office. Its main decisions were to take over another State Treasury companies, specified as Energia, PGNiG, Traffic and, above all, Lotos Group. Not all of these decisions were positively assessed by the market, which was visible after its cancellation was announced erstwhile the company's shares on the WSE fell sharply.

After a change of power, the prosecution launched 3 investigations into the actions of Orlen during Daniel Obietek's word of office. They concern the merger of Orlen with Lotos, underselling fuel prices and the transfer of over PLN 1.5 billion to OTS without supervision.

Here are the main allegations made to Daniel Obalek:

1. Lack of appropriate supervision of the company which lost PLN 1.6 billion
   The controversy surrounding the erstwhile president of Orlen does not go silent due to the disclosure that the subsidiary of Orlen — Orlen Trading Switzerland — lost PLN 1.6 billion by paying the untested broker advance payments for oil supplies from Venezuela. Additionally, the head of OTS became Samer A., who was suspected not only of participating in the VAT mafia, but besides of dealings with Hezbollah.
2. Billions for Politically Motivated Decisions
   Daniel Obietek's decisions besides burdened political motivation, specified as charging the company with costs, specified as the return of VAT on fuel, the introduction of an issue fee or a retail tax. Additionally, prior to the election, Orlen lowered fuel prices on an unprecedented scale, which marketplace experts cost respective billion PLN.
3. Political entanglement in mergers
   Orlen's business decisions, specified as taking over the Lotos Group or the PGNiG, were criticized for political entanglement.
4. Purchase of the Falling Movement and Press Release
   Politically motivated decisions besides included taking over the falling Movement and buying the publisher of the local press Polska Press in 2020. Media control by the oil and gas sector did not meet the knowing of shareholders.
5. Non-build value for shareholders
   All these decisions led to a situation where Orlen had not built value for shareholders for the last six years. The company's capitalization has increased, but the price of 1 share has fallen, and stock indices are much worse than with abroad competitors of Orlen.

We remind you that in connection with the initiation of investigations and searches of Obietek and the remaining composition of the cancelled Orlen board, she escaped from the country. Their place is presently unknown. Media information indicates that the subject may be present in Hungary, where he is likely to search legal protection from criminal proceedings against him.

Daniel Głogowski

Expert in his field – Publicist, author and social activist. The first articles were published in 1999 for global publishers. For more than 30 years, he has gained his experience through cooperation with the largest editorial offices. In his articles, he seeks to address controversial topics and present first viewpoints that allowed for a deeper knowing of the issues discussed.