The prosecution continues to intensively search for Michał Kuczmierowski, erstwhile president of the Government strategical Reserve Agency (RARS), suspected of serious irregularities related to the functioning of this institution. As D.A. Przemysław Nowak confirmed, activities are presently taking place throughout the country, but the decision to issue the European Arrest Warrant has not yet been taken.
"We have suspicions where they are hiding," said Nowak in an interview with the WP journalist, Patrick Michalski, referring to the search for Kuczmierowski and Paweł Szopa, the second fishy in the case.
A BOLO – a national search tool
The decision to issue a BOLO against Kuczmierowski was taken after the court had previously ruled that he was temporarily arrested. As Przemysław Nowak explained, the BOLO is simply a peculiar measurement for revealing the whereabouts of the fishy and his detention. At the minute the search is limited to Poland, although unconfirmed information appears that Michał Kuczmierowski may be on the Turkish side of Cyprus.
"If this information were confirmed, the BOLO would be ineffective," Nowak added during the press conference. In specified a situation, it would be essential to launch global searches, which is the subject of the prosecutor's deliberations, but the decision on the substance has not yet been taken.
Investigation of RARS irregularities
The Regional Prosecutor's Office in Warsaw launched an investigation into irregularities in the Government strategical Reserve Agency on 1 December 2023. The case concerns actions taken by RARS staff between 23 February 2021 and 27 November 2023, which aimed at achieving an asset benefit at the expense of the public interest. Investigators object to exceeding their rights and failing to fulfil their duties in the course of organising and proceeding the acquisition of goods.
The initiation of the investigation was based on the materials collected by the Central Anti-corruption Office, as well as the notifications made by the General Financial Information Inspector (GIIF). In the course of the proceedings, GIIF submitted further notifications, including suspected money laundering.
In April 2024 the proceedings were taken over by the Silesian Department of the Department for Organized Crime and Corruption of the National Prosecutor's Office in Katowice, which demonstrates the increasing scale and complexity of the case.
International Search: Will there be a European Arrest Warrant?
The prosecution is presently examining the anticipation of expanding the search on an global scale, which would affect exposing the European Arrest Warrant (ENA). Although the decision on ENA has not yet been taken, the possible presence of Kuczmierowski outside the country may importantly impede its detention on the basis of a national BOLO.
According to the case law of the Court of Justice of the European Union, the European Arrest Warrant is an effective tool for suspects residing in EU associate States. However, the situation is complicated if Kuczmierowski is indeed in northern Cyprus, controlled by Turkey, which is not a associate of the European Union or a organization to global agreements governing extradition from that part of the world.
Summary
Investigations of irregularities in the Government strategical Reserve Agency and the search for Michał Kuczmierowski are gaining momentum. Although for the minute actions are limited to Poland, the prosecution is considering the anticipation of launching global searches. Future decisions in this case may be crucial for the further improvement of the investigation and the findings of those liable for infringements in the RARS.
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.
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Where is the wanted man Michał Kuczmierowski
