Sejm committee votes unanimously to strip Polish deputy minister Bartoszewski of immunity

Parliamentary committee decision

On 6 October 2026, the Sejm Rules, Parliamentary Affairs and Privileges Committee voted unanimously, 14 to zero, in favor of stripping Deputy Foreign Minister Władysław Teofil Bartoszewski of his parliamentary immunity. The motion, initiated by the National Prosecutor's Office, now moves to the full floor of the Sejm for a final vote. The allegations against the Polish People's Party (PSL) lawmaker involve the suspected misappropriation of entrusted assets and intentional obstruction of creditor satisfaction, carrying a statutory penalty of up to ten years in prison.

Embezzlement allegations and offshore assets

The criminal proceedings stem from a notification filed by the Ciechanowiecki Collection Foundation at the Royal Castle in Warsaw. Prosecutors from the Mazovian branch of the National Prosecutor's Office allege that between July 2012 and 20 February 2015, Bartoszewski misappropriated funds entrusted to him by his late godfather, art historian Andrzej Ciechanowiecki, and the Non Omnis Moriar Foundation. According to prosecutor Andrzej Michalski, the entrusted assets included nearly 6.7 million zlotys, one million British pounds, and 45,000 euros.

Investigators state that Bartoszewski used these funds to purchase three residential apartments in Warsaw through Max and Max, an entity registered in the British Virgin Islands by Bartoszewski and his wife. After the management agreement was terminated, Bartoszewski reportedly sold the properties and refused to return the proceeds. In a parallel civil case in March 2024, the Regional Court in Warsaw ordered Bartoszewski to repay 6.7 million zlotys, one million pounds, 405,000 euros, interest, and several Chinese vases, totaling over 13.2 million zlotys at filing rates and roughly 27 million zlotys with accrued interest. In September 2024, prosecutors opened inquiries into whether he disposed of or gifted assets to block future creditor claims.

Committee proceedings and procedural clash

The motion to lift Bartoszewski's immunity was drafted on 16 June 2026 and delivered to the Marshal of the Sejm in mid-July 2026. Prosecutor General Waldemar Żurek submitted the formal application, while prosecution spokeswoman Anna Adamiak noted that the alleged offenses carry no connection to the execution of parliamentary duties. During the committee hearing, Bartoszewski attempted to delay the vote pending an upcoming ruling from the Court of Appeals.

They were not subject to analysis at the time the motion sent to the Sejm was prepared, so they could not be taken into account when formulating the findings presented to the committee.

Prosecutor Michalski told the committee that the prosecution had not received those supplementary records. Bartoszewski's legal counsel then conceded that the documents had only been dispatched earlier that day, prompting lawmakers to proceed immediately to the vote.

Defense position and next steps

Bartoszewski rejected all criminal allegations, maintaining that his asset management strictly followed agreements made with Ciechanowiecki prior to his godfather's death in 2015. He stated that transferring real estate to his children served to prevent inheritance complications. Following the committee's vote, Bartoszewski told reporters that he decided to waive his immunity after the panel declined to postpone proceedings.

I asked to wait for the verdict of the Court of Appeals. I pointed out that it is a matter of two months, but the committee decided not to wait. Therefore, to simplify the matter, I waived my immunity.

The matter now heads to the Sejm plenary chamber, where lawmakers will determine whether the prosecution can formally press criminal charges against the deputy minister.