General Jarosław Szymczyk, former police commander, appeared today at the Warsaw Public Prosecutor’s Office, where he was charged with “possession of portable weapons without a permit and unintentionally causing danger to the life and health of many people and large-scale property.” “By providing explanations in this case, I would expose myself to criminal liability,” the general emphasized in an interview with Radio Eska.
On Monday, procedural activities took place at the prosecutor’s office with the participation of General Szymczyk (he agrees to provide data).
Two charges were announced against him. The first concerns the possession of an unlicensed portable anti-tank weapon in the form of an RGW-90 grenade launcher, obtained in Ukraine and transported across the border of the Republic of Poland without declaring it to the relevant customs and tax authorities at the Dorohusk border crossing.
– the spokesperson of the Warsaw Public Prosecutor’s Office, Prosecutor Skiba, told journalists.
READ ALSO: General Szymczyk summoned to the prosecutor’s office. He will hear the accusations. The case concerns the explosion of a grenade launcher in his office
Proc. Skiba: The general said he didn’t understand
He noted that the second announced charge concerns “unintentionally causing danger to the life and health of many people and large-scale property in the form of the police headquarters, in connection with unlocking the security of the grenade launcher .”
This act carries a prison sentence of up to five years.
The general stated that he did not understand these allegations, refused to respond to them and also demanded the consent of the competent minister of the Ministry of the Interior and Administration for the hearing.
– said prosecutor Skiba.
He also explained that two proceedings against the former police chief have been ongoing for some time.
The proceedings conducted by the Warsaw Public Prosecutor’s Office concerned the notification submitted by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Administrative Affairs in March regarding the events preceding the date of the explosion and subsequent events.
– he said.
He noted that there was also a second proceeding by the Regional Public Prosecutor’s Office in Warsaw, which related to the explosion itself and was initiated immediately after that date.
A few weeks ago, both procedures were merged into one procedure to reduce the duplication of procedural activities and the duplication of procedural materials in this case.
– said prosecutor Skiba. They are now being carried out by the Warsaw District Attorney’s Office.
READ ALSO: The former police chief appeared at the prosecutor’s office. General Szymczyk will be indicted. The case concerns an explosion in his office
““Other facts under investigation”
He noted that many witnesses have been interviewed in Poland and Ukraine in the context of these proceedings. He highlighted the contribution to these proceedings of the former prosecutor in this case, Przemysław Ścibisz, who “asked very curious questions in bombed Kiev and personally interrogated all witnesses from the Ukrainian side”.
The spokesperson said the procedure is still ongoing.
We take other investigated facts into account
– he added.
He stressed that he would not comment further on the evidence at this stage as it was largely secret.
In December 2022, an explosion occurred in the office of the then chief police officer. The cause turned out to be a grenade launcher, which was supposed to be a dummy, received as a gift from the Ukrainian services.
Szymczyk: The prosecutor has not received such a decision
On the way to the prosecutor’s office, General Szymczyk did not want to talk to the media, neo-TVP Info filmed the former police commander. Jarosław Szymczyk was followed by a man shouting:
Mr. Szymczyk, the Silesians are looking at you, all of Poland. You’re a disgrace to your uniform! Shame on you, Mr. Szymczyk! Shame! All of Europe saw it!
After the work, the former police chief gave a short statement to Radio Eska.
By providing explanations in this matter, I would expose myself to criminal liability
– said General Szymczyk, noting that all evidence is a state and official secret.
I asked the prosecutor whether she had received a resolution from the Minister of the Interior and Administration exempting me from the obligation to keep these two secrets; the prosecutor received no such resolution.
– he explained.
General Szymczyk also admitted that he did not know he needed to have special documents to import these types of gifts.
I also know many other people who have received these types of gifts, and none of them have informed me that they have been given any form of permission to possess or transport such a gift.
– he pointed.
aja/PAP, Eska, tvp-info
Source: wPolityce
Emma Matthew is a political analyst for “Social Bites”. With a keen understanding of the inner workings of government and a passion for politics, she provides insightful and informative coverage of the latest political developments.