Deputy foreign minister Bartoszewski charged with misappropriation; dismissal request sent to Tusk

The charges

Prosecutors from the Mazovian branch office of the National Prosecutor's Office presented charges to Władysław Teofil Bartoszewski on Tuesday, 10 November 2026. Bartoszewski is a PSL member of the Sejm and has served as deputy foreign minister since December 2023. The charges came after his parliamentary immunity was lifted. The main charge is misappropriation of property entrusted to him for management by an individual and by the Fundacja Non Omnis Moriar. It covers acts between 9 July 2012 and 20 February 2015 and involves 1 million pounds sterling, 405 thousand euros and more than 6.6 million zloty, listed separately in three currencies rather than as a single total. A second charge alleges that between 16 July 2012 and 9 March 2022 he frustrated or reduced a creditor's ability to be paid by hiding, disposing of and gifting parts of his assets.

Bartoszewski's response

On Tuesday Bartoszewski responded to the charges by saying he does not admit committing the acts alleged against him. In the same statement he said he would take the case through every stage of proceedings, adding:

“I will defend the truth and my good name at every level, for as long as it is necessary.”

The articles report no verdict and no court date. His statement was the only public reply from him cited in the coverage of the charges.

The dismissal request

On Friday, 13 November, Piotr Zgorzelski, a deputy speaker of the Sejm from PSL, confirmed on TVN24 that a dismissal request for Bartoszewski had reached Prime Minister Donald Tusk. Asked whether Bartoszewski would leave the foreign ministry, Zgorzelski answered:

“Probably so, but everything is in the hands of the prime minister.”

He said the final decision rests with Tusk, and no decision had been announced by the time of the interview. Reports of a possible dismissal had already appeared on Tuesday, 10 November. Asked who could replace Bartoszewski, Zgorzelski declined to name anyone and said:

“Let's not rush, some time is needed.”

Agriculture minister under scrutiny

Zgorzelski was also asked about Agriculture Minister Stefan Krajewski. TVN24 had earlier reported that talks were under way within PSL about whether to remove him and who could take his place. Zgorzelski said Krajewski would have to answer the press reports about his entourage and that the other side should have a chance to speak. He added that Krajewski is preparing a public statement and that, in his view, the minister has arguments to answer the allegations. Zgorzelski said he saw no black clouds over the minister. The articles report no decision on Krajewski.

What remains open

The articles do not say when Tusk will decide on Bartoszewski's dismissal. Zgorzelski did not name a successor at the foreign ministry, and no source reports a replacement. The prosecution case is at an early stage, and the accused denies the acts. The first charge period ends on 20 February 2015, while the second runs until 9 March 2022. Both charges concern assets that the articles describe as entrusted to him for management, not as a single sum.