From the cell to Brussels. Thus, the political turn towards Włodzimierz Karpiński is briefly described. The new MEP argued in an interview for RMF FM that he had “hesitated for a long time” whether to accept the mandate, but it is already clear that the politician accused of accepting huge bribes is trying to portray himself as a kind of martyr. “I doubt this case is just about finding the truth”; “I feel slandered,” he said. Convincing?
Why did he accept the mandate and what does he want to do in the EP?
Włodzimierz Karpiński, former secretary of the Warsaw City Hall and former minister in the PO-PSL government, last week, as he took up the mandate of Member of the European Parliament, left the prison where he had spent nine months since February . The Public Prosecutor’s Office accuses the politician of taking bribes of almost PLN 5 million in connection with concluding waste management contracts in Warsaw.
Why did he accept the mandate of MEP?
If I had 100 percent conviction that this issue is about finding the truth… I hesitated for a very long time. I doubted (…). I accepted the mandate because I doubt whether this case is only about finding the truth
– said Włodzimierz Karpiński in an interview for RMF FM.
I just had a conversation with the chairman of our group (in the European Parliament, Andrzej Halicki – editor). I told him I realized I might be a leper, and he told me to stop doing that
– he revealed. He also announced that he would appear in Brussels next week and that he wanted to deal with the economy as a MEP.
Karpiński says: I was bugged and followed
The MEP was also asked on RMF FM whether he was wiretapped before his arrest.
I was being wiretapped and what I believed to be other illegal activities were being carried out to monitor my behavior
– he answered, and it is worth paying attention to the words “in my opinion”.
They followed where I rode and where I drove. I’ve filed a report on the likelihood of committing a crime, so we’ll see how it goes. But I was officially bugged for over half a year
– he pointed out.
When asked why he suspected he was being followed, Karpiński explained that during the search of his car, a device resembling a transmitter was identified. As he said, it was “a bar wrapped in black electrical tape with two magnets.” According to the MEP, the Central Anti-Corruption Bureau officer who dismantled the device claimed it was his mobile phone.
Karpiński: I did not accept PLN 5 million, PLN 10, PLN 15, PLN 1 or PLN 5.
The politician also emphasized that he was innocent and that he felt “vilified by people he does not know”.
I have never in my life made a decision that would be the result of any pressure, pressure, blackmail, illegal lobbying, let alone the expectation of financial benefits.
– he assured.
The accusation is very specific: you took PLN 5 million in bribes
– Tomasz Terlikowski, the host of the interview at RMF FM, recalled.
Neither PLN 5 (million – ed.), nor PLN 10, nor PLN 15, nor PLN 1, nor PLN 5
– replied Włodzimierz Karpiński.
Please tell me that if the winner in tenders is the one who offers the lowest price (…), what is his intention in proposing illegal actions for this – so to speak?
– added.
““I feel slandered”
However, the presenter notes that it was the court that extended the detention, from which it can be concluded that the accusations of the Public Prosecution Service were found to be correct.
The court does not assess the substantive aspect of the case, but only the grounds for maintaining the arrest. (…) It is sufficient to meet two conditions. If the editors are charged with a high penalty and based on defamation, you meet the conditions for deprivation of your freedom.
– argued the new MEP, a former prisoner.
For nine months there was no conclusive evidence in this case
– he said.
I feel slandered by people I don’t know, and I have met thousands of people in the course of my various public service activities. And I would like to emphatically emphasize that I have never in my life made a decision that would be the result of any pressure, pressure, blackmail, illegal lobbying, let alone any expectation of benefits.
– he stated, arguing that the people who accused him in their testimonies were people who could receive up to 25 years in prison, “and by taking such a position, the so-called As a minor key witness they would be released from this drastic punishment .
“From the cell to Brussels
Karpiński stood as a candidate of the European Coalition in the 2019 European Parliament elections. However, he did not receive a mandate as a member of the European Parliament. Krzysztof Hetman, who won a seat in the Polish Sejm in the last elections, became an MEP from this list. Joanna Mucha should have gone to the European Parliament under Hetman, but she was also elected to the Polish parliament. The next in line to become a MEP would be Riad Haidar, but the politician died in May this year. Ultimately, the EP mandate went to the next candidate: Karpiński
It is clear that Włodzimierz Karpiński was warmly welcomed by his fellow PO MEPs, and he is trying to cast himself in the role of a “martyr”. These are the standards according to Donald Tusk’s formation?
– ONLY HERE. Will Włodzimierz Karpiński escape punishment? “The case will continue. “Immunity is not in the way.”
– OUR INTERVIEW. Kaleta: Hołownia lied to the Poles. His urgent decision on Karpiński proves that he is repaying his debt to Tusk
– OUR NEWS. Karpiński cannot sleep peacefully. The Public Prosecution Service will ask the European Parliament to waive his immunity
olnk/RMF FM/PAP/X
Source: wPolityce