Polish Sejm strips MP Wojciech Król of immunity over 1.4 million zł bribery allegation, but blocks his pre-trial detention

Vote in the Sejm

The Sejm held three votes on Friday, the last sitting before the month-long summer recess. The first two concerned consent to lift Wojciech Król’s immunity on two distinct criminal acts cited by the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO). The first passed with 436 in favour, 2 against and 3 abstentions; the second with 437 in favour, 2 against and 3 abstentions. A third vote on EPPO’s request for Król’s detention and temporary arrest fell short: 181 voted in favour, 251 against and 5 abstained, below the absolute majority of 231.

Allegations and investigation

The EPPO’s investigation centres on fraud and corruption in the modernisation of tram infrastructure in the Górnośląsko-Zagłębiowska Metropolia (GZM), a project backed by 1.9 billion zł in EU funds for 2021–2027. Prosecutors suspect Król of accepting more than 1.4 million zł in bribes to help secure a 27 million zł EU grant for the “Stara Huta” project in Chorzów. He is also alleged to have taken 27,000 zł to facilitate a job appointment and to have interfered in procurement processes at a municipal company. European Chief Prosecutor Laura Kövesi told the rules committee that the request was a mandatory procedural step required under both EU and Polish law.

The request concerning lifting Wojciech Król’s immunity is a necessary procedural stage required by both EU and Polish legislation.

Król and his lawyers argue the application contains errors and lacks evidence linking him to the tram company affair. They say he was wrongly associated with the case and that some facts in the EPPO’s official communication do not match the documents sent to the Sejm.

Political reactions

Opposition figures condemned the governing coalition for blocking the detention. Michał Wójcik (Law and Justice) called the vote “disgraceful” and revealed that an EPPO prosecutor had told him of new offences, prompting a fresh arrest motion.

Another request is in the pipeline because new crimes have been uncovered. There will be another motion to detain and arrest him!

Sebastian Kaleta and Jan Kanthak, also of PiS, accused the ruling camp of protecting its own. The vote against detention was carried by the entire government coalition together with 13 members of Konfederacja; the Confederation of the Polish Crown faction abstained. Shouts of “thieves” were heard in the chamber.

Król’s assets under scrutiny

Król’s asset declaration shows savings of about 340,000 zł, plus roughly 7,000 euro and 2,000 US dollars. He listed a 109.5 sq m apartment valued at 1.6 million zł (a half share) and a second 40.39 sq m apartment worth around 500,000 zł. He also declared a Maurice Lacroix watch. His income comprised 215,180 zł in parliamentary salary, 47,604 zł in allowances, 39,000 zł from rent, 161,874 zł for serving on the National Media Council and 311,995 zł from the sale of an apartment. Liabilities include a mortgage of about 312,400 zł, a credit card or limit of 15,000 zł, a loan from the Social Benefits Fund of 36,100 zł and a further 110,000 zł debt of unclear nature.

A second immunity case: Adam Dziedzic

On the same day, the Sejm refused to lift the immunity of Polish People’s Party (PSL) MP Adam Dziedzic. A private prosecution brought by his cousin Artur Szwed alleged that Dziedzic assaulted him during a name-day party at Christmas 2024. The vote was 165 in favour, 257 against and 8 abstentions. The rules committee had earlier heard of a long-running personal conflict between the two men; Dziedzic claimed Szwed persistently demanded help finding a job and became abusive when refused.