Immunity waived in parliament

On 7 October 2026, the Sejm Rules, Deputies' Affairs and Immunities Committee confirmed the formal validity of a statement submitted by Deputy Foreign Minister Władysław Teofil Bartoszewski waiving his parliamentary immunity. The document was dated 6 October 2026, following a committee session where lawmakers supported stripping his legal protection. In that vote, 14 of the 15 committee members voted in favor while one abstained, considering two separate motions regarding potential criminal charges. The committee's confirmation clears the path for prosecutors to pursue charges against the Polish People's Party lawmaker without requiring a full Sejm vote.

In favor14

Abstain1

In favor

14 votes

Abstain

1 votes

Data from the article text

Embezzlement allegations and asset dispute

The case originates from an investigation led by the Mazovian Branch of the Department for Organized Crime and Corruption of the National Prosecutor's Office. Prosecutor Andrzej Michalski, who drafted the motion on 16 June 2026, presented evidence indicating a high probability that Bartoszewski committed two criminal offenses. The primary allegation involves the misappropriation of property between July 2012 and 20 February 2015 in Warsaw. Prosecutors state that Bartoszewski acted jointly with an identified individual to misappropriate funds entrusted to him for management by art collector Andrzej Ciechanowiecki and the Non Omnis Moriar Foundation. The entrusted assets comprised 1 million British pounds, 45,000 euros, and 6,683,705.86 PLN. According to investigators, these funds were used to purchase three Warsaw apartments for approximately 7 million PLN through a company called Max&Max, based in the British Virgin Islands, where Bartoszewski was a director, before the properties were sold without returning the proceeds.

Obstruction of creditor claims

The second planned charge relates to actions between 16 July 2012 and March 2022 intended to thwart or hinder the satisfaction of creditors. The notification of potential wrongdoing was submitted by the Ciechanowiecki Collection Foundation at the Royal Castle in Warsaw after filing a civil lawsuit on 14 January 2013. Prosecutors contend that the sale of the real estate and Bartoszewski's subsequent resignation as company director were carried out to frustrate the execution of expected court judgments. If convicted of both offenses, the deputy foreign minister faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison. Anna Adamiak, spokeswoman for Prosecutor General and Justice Minister Waldemar Żurek, emphasized that the alleged acts carry no connection to Bartoszewski's parliamentary duties.

Bartoszewski's legal defense

Bartoszewski maintains his innocence, arguing that the dispute is civil rather than criminal and remains subject to ongoing court review. Before the committee vote, he requested an adjournment pending the final outcome of civil litigation, pointing to new evidence submitted to the Court of Appeals in Warsaw.

“I feel absolutely not guilty. The evidentiary material confirms this. However, the Court of Appeals will rule on this in two months.”

The parliamentary committee rejected the postponement request after prosecutors argued that criminal evidence extends beyond the findings of civil courts. Bartoszewski stated that he perceives a political background behind the allegations against him. The civil dispute remains pending, with a ruling from the Court of Appeals anticipated within two months.