The founder of the Red is Bad brand, Paweł S., was questioned in Katowice as part of an inquiry into irregularities at the Government Agency of Strategic Reserves, known as RARS. He terminated the power of attorney he had given to defend his two lawyers, Krzysztof Wąsowski and Bartosz Lewandowski.
Requests for comment were directed to the two lawyers, but neither issued a public response to the inquiries.
Paweł S., founder of the Red is Bad brand, was brought from the Dominican Republic and remained in Poland on Thursday after 10 a.m. He was moved to the Silesian branch of the National Public Prosecution Service in Katowice for questioning as a suspect in the inquiry into irregularities at RARS.
He had initially agreed to reveal his name, but his lawyers later stated he withdrew it. He was detained the previous Friday in the Dominican Republic and was flown to Poland on Wednesday after the Dominican side approved the deportation. The plane carrying S. landed at Chopin Airport at around 9 p.m.
Upon crossing the border, a court ordered a 90-day temporary arrest. Regulations provide that after the hearing, prosecutors may request the continuation of pre-trial detention unless a different preventive measure is chosen.
Shortly before the suspect was brought in, the head of the Silesian PK branch, Tomasz Tadla, told reporters that charges would be filed and that the suspect would be informed of all rights and obligations.
The exact shape of ensuing activities and interrogations would depend on the suspect’s decisions.
He added.
At ten in the morning, S’s lawyers entered the Public Prosecution Service building. One of them, attorney Jacek Dubois, noted that this would be his first meeting with the client in months. It remained unclear whether the suspect would testify.
Dubois confirmed that prosecutors were pursuing three charges against his client, including one tied to involvement with an organized criminal group.
On that day the formal charging procedure would take place, with the suspect being presented with the charges and responding in line with standard procedures.
The lawyer added.
Decision to file charges
The National Public Prosecution Service announced in August its decision to press charges against the former heads of RARS, Michał K. and Paweł S., over irregularities at the agency. The allegations include participation in an organized criminal group, neglect of duties, and exceeding authorities to obtain financial gain. From October 10, an Interpol red notice targeted him, and prior arrest warrants, including a European arrest warrant, had already been issued.
The investigation into irregularities at RARS began on December 1, 2023. It is conducted by the Silesian Branch of the Organized Crime and Corruption Department of the National Public Prosecution Service in Katowice. The proceedings cover alleged overstepping by RARS employees in organizing and carrying out the procurement of goods, actions that harmed the public interest in pursuit of financial gain from February 23, 2021 to November 27, 2023 in Warsaw.
The investigation was triggered by classified materials collected by the CBA and two reports for suspicion of committing a crime filed by the Inspector General of Financial Information. Later in the process, the General Inspector of Financial Information filed two additional reports on suspicion of money laundering.