On Monday, MP Marcin Romanowski, politician of Sovereign Poland and erstwhile Deputy Head of the Ministry of Justice, did not appear in the prosecutor's office. According to his defence counsel, Bartosz Lewandowski, on the same day a comprehensive letter was sent to the National Prosecutor's Office, which indicated a “wide scope of formal obstacles” preventing planned actions.
Allegations and background
The National Prosecutor's Office accuses Marcin Romanowski of participating in an organized criminal group and setting competitions for funds from the Justice Fund for a full amount of over PLN 112 million. According to the prosecutor's office, these actions were to take place between 2019 and 2023, erstwhile Romanowski served as Deputy Minister in charge of the supervision of the Justice Fund, whose intent is to aid victims of crimes and support post-penitentiary.
The investigation of the National Prosecutor's Office has been ongoing since February this year and is multi-threaded. The procedure besides examines the function of another officials of the Justice Ministry in the management and distribution of funds from the Justice Fund.
Formal obstacles and immunity
Romanowski's defence filed a letter in which she referred to many formal obstacles preventing the proceeding of the MP. Among another things, the deficiency of an effective extension of the investigation and the request to discontinue proceedings was indicated. Advocate Bartosz Lewandowski besides stressed that there is simply a justified obstacle that prevents Romanowski from being personally present in the prosecution.
Despite the abolition of immunity by the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, Romanowski's defender claims that his client inactive benefits from parliamentary immunity granted by the Polish Parliament. The counsel besides recalled the fresh "instrument" of the ultimate Court Criminal Chamber, issued by written Pokemons not being judges within the meaning of the law, which, according to his interpretation, was expected to confirm that the actions of the national prosecutor were invalid.
The allegations of political repression
Romanowski, who had already been detained in July and heard 11 charges, including participation in an organized crime group, does not plead guilty. A politician from the very beginning claims that the prosecution's actions are political repression. After being detained in July, he was released by a decision of the territory Court for Warsaw-Mokotów, who felt that he was protected by global immunity.
However, the Public Prosecutor's Office continues to stress that the protection of immunity in the Council of Europe's EPC does not cover the alleged acts and so the continuation of proceedings against the associate is legitimate.
Possible consequences and further steps
In case Romanowski continues not to appear in the prosecutor's office, further legal steps are possible. Minister of Justice-Prosecution General Adam Bodnar on Sunday, during an interview on TVN24, suggested that Romanowski's deficiency of cooperation with the prosecution could constitute a fresh condition that could justify the re-abuse of politics.
It should be noted that Romanowski was first detained in connection with this case on 15 July. However, as the charges have been brought against him despite the immunity in force at the time, they may be repeated. The D.A. reserves that it is possible to file an application for arrest if Romanowski attends the proceeding and does not plead guilty to the charges and the investigators consider it necessary.
Political implications
Marcin Romanowski's case is becoming increasingly political, especially in the context of his public functions and the function of the Justice Fund. The allegations of misdistribution of funds of this fund may have serious consequences for the image of the full Sovereign Formation of Poland and the Law and Justice Office. As the investigation progresses, the political and legal implications of the case may deepen.
Summary
The case of Marcin Romanowski, accused of crimes connected with the Justice Fund, is an example of a complex process in which formal obstacles, immunity and allegations of political repression play a key role. It remains unclear how further conduct of proceedings will affect the future of politics and the full formation of Sovereign Poland.
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Romanowski didn't show up for the D.A.'s appointment due to the fact that he thinks he's protected by immunity.
