A government spokesman on Tuesday defended the principle that the moment the prosecutor’s office begins a case, there must be a foundation for it. In an interview on Polsat News, Piotr Müller stated that the opening of an investigation into alleged abuses of power by Donald Tusk signals that prosecutors have credible grounds to proceed, and this principle applies regardless of who is involved.
Earlier, tvp.info reported that the Warsaw District Prosecutor’s Office had started an inquiry into power abuses dating back to 2014, involving the former prime minister. The probe follows testimony from a witness connected to the so-called wiretapping affair and concerns a coal trading company in which the witness had a stake.
Asked for comment on the case, a government spokesman repeated the view that prosecutors act when there is information warranting action, whether the subject is Donald Tusk or another figure. A social media post from a senator’s account was cited in coverage of the case, describing how the investigation was framed by supporters of the ruling party.
One report paraphrased a claim that the ruling party had opened scrutiny because Tusk allegedly ordered actions related to Russian coal imports. The assertion suggested that Tusk had used his authority in a way that drew political backlash. Müller responded by noting that a person who led a national policy shift on Russia would not be surprised to see criticism, even when it comes in an ironic tone.
The government’s position remained that the mere initiation of proceedings confirms a legal basis for the prosecutor’s action, and without such action there would be no case to pursue.
According to the Warsaw District Prosecutor’s Office, the investigation began on April 11 of the current year. It concerns alleged abuse of power by a government official, namely the prime minister, as part of an effort in the first half of 2014 to secure a financial advantage for entities engaged in coal trading. The case focuses on an order affecting a coal company and questions the legality of the measures used to stop Russian coal imports, with implications for private business interests involved in the matter.
Documents published by the prosecutor’s office describe the charge as abuse of power by an official, a violation outlined in the Penal Code with potential penalties that include imprisonment if personal gain is demonstrated in the act.
In November 2022, reports indicated that the witness had filed a formal report to the prosecutor’s office, along with a civil complaint against a high-ranking politician in the Civic Platform. The actions sought by the complainant included apologies and compensation related to Ukraine, in a case connected to broader political and legal disputes of the period.
Back in 2016, the witness received a conviction in connection with the wiretapping scandal, which spanned multiple years and involved the unauthorized recording of conversations in public spaces. The proceedings covered conversations among figures in politics, business, and government, including ministers and other senior officials. The court identified the participants in many of these conversations, and a handful of defendants received prison or suspended sentences. Financial penalties were also imposed on some individuals involved in assisting investigators.
These developments are part of a long thread of disclosures tied to surveillance and power in the political landscape, with ongoing legal processes that intersect with public scrutiny and political accountability. The case continues to unfold as prosecutors assess the evidence and determine the appropriate next steps.
Source: multiple Polish outlets and public records cited by the press, with official statements from the prosecutor’s office and government representatives recorded in coverage of the evolving inquiry.