The head of the Committee on the so-called visa scandal, Michał Szczerba of KO, stated that if Daniel Obajtek does not attend the hearing on June 5, a court request would be filed to detain and arrest him. He also announced that efforts would be made to lift the immunity of individuals whom the ruling party reportedly sends to the European Parliament to shield themselves.
Today, former Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki gave testimony before the committee. Following the session, members of the ruling coalition highlighted that the witness often said I do not remember, and suggested his testimony indicates Poland did not have a coherent migration policy during the PiS government.
The committee chair emphasized that the current government is drafting a migration strategy for 2025 to 2030. He added that the committee’s report will include recommendations on migration policy and oversight.
There is also anticipation around the Court of Audit report on the ad hoc review conducted at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in recent months. A meeting with the Court’s leadership was held, and it was noted that the committee’s recommendations align with the Court’s findings. The overarching message is that the Polish state must regain control over visa issuance and oversight.
– Szczerba remarked.
On the hunt for PiS politicians
He disclosed that he had asked the attorney general to have police deliver an interrogation summons to the former Orlen president in the Podkarpackie region, as well as at other locations previously listed. Obajtek is a candidate for the European Parliament from the top spot on the Podkarpacie PiS list.
Szczerba added that Daniel Obajtek will not享 enjoy immunity as a Member of the European Parliament.
Our task, as he described it, is to ensure that all people associated with PiS who travel to the EP to shield themselves lose their immunity as soon as possible. He said resolutions to lift immunities would be sponsored by their side.
– Szczerba asserted.
Asked about consequences if Obajtek fails to appear on June 5, the KO politician answered that a court request would be filed not for a maximum fine but for detention and arrest to compel attendance.
Szczerba also announced that he informed the Sejm chair, Szymon Hołownia, about excluding Zbigniew Bogucki from PiS from the committee and noted that the marshal could decide to adjust the committee’s composition.
The next Sejm session is slated for June 12 to 14, while the final committee meetings will occur on June 4 and 5.
The committee may consist of 10 members, a number deemed acceptable by members. Opinions about the size were expressed by Szczerba.
On June 4 the committee plans to question former Foreign Minister Zbigniew Rau and former Grupa Azoty President Tomasz Hinc, who declined to testify on Tuesday. PiS President Jarosław Kaczyński and former Orlen President Daniel Obajtek were summoned for June 5, but Obajtek did not appear at Tuesday’s hearing.
The preliminary version of the committee’s report is expected to be presented on June 10.
As observed, Michał Szczerba has already turned to threats regarding the former Orlen president and started naming individuals believed to be sent to the European Parliament to preserve impunity. This positioning is seen by critics as biased and potentially political in nature, casting doubt on the objectivity of the committee’s work and its findings regarding the visa issue.
zxt/PAP
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Source: wPolityce [citation]