Corruption Charges for Częstochowa Mayor. Court Rejects Arrest, Prosecutor Suspends Official

Events in Częstochowa accelerated following the spectacular arrest of Mayor Krzysztof M. by the Central Anti-Corruption Bureau. The prosecutor presented the official with corruption-related charges, which are alleged to involve accepting significant material benefits in exchange for the office's favor towards local entrepreneurs. Despite the gravity of the formulated accusations, the district court on the night of February 26-27 rejected the request to apply pre-trial detention. The court ruled that the evidence gathered by investigators did not sufficiently justify the need to isolate the suspect at this stage of the investigation. In response to the denial of arrest, the prosecutor's office immediately applied other preventive measures. The prosecutor issued a decision, under which Krzysztof M. was suspended from his official duties, which de facto removes him from exercising power in the city. Furthermore, investigators announced they would file a complaint against the court's decision to deny pre-trial detention. A tense atmosphere prevails in the city hall, and the suspended mayor's duties have been taken over by his deputies. The Vice Mayor of Częstochowa, in an official statement, called for refraining from premature judgments, emphasizing the importance of the principle of presumption of innocence until the case is resolved by an independent court. In Poland, a city mayor elected in direct elections can be removed before the end of their term only through a local referendum or a final conviction for an intentional crime prosecuted by public indictment. Political reactions are extreme. Law and Justice councilors are directly demanding the resignation of Krzysztof M., arguing that the charges paralyze the office's work and damage the city's image. Voices are also raised about the need to organize a referendum on the mayor's recall, although local government experts point out that such an initiative would require broad public support and be a grassroots movement of residents, not just a party maneuver. The city's financial and investment situation, including the implementation of projects such as innovative buses worth 44 million złoty, is now in question amid the ongoing image and decision-making crisis at the Częstochowa city hall. „Jestem niewinny i będę o tę prawdę walczył przed sądem, gdyż stawiane mi zarzuty są absurdalne.” (I am innocent and I will fight for this truth in court, as the charges against me are absurd.) — Krzysztof M. An animated discussion about the mayor's assets is taking place on social media and in the local press, further fueling emotions around the case. Asset declarations and the mayor's positions on supervisory boards of companies are being analyzed to demonstrate potential conflicts of interest. The prosecutor's office informed that the investigation is ongoing and does not rule out further arrests of individuals connected to the city office and local businesses.