Poland's PiS faces RARS corruption probe and fugitive former justice minister Romanowski

Polish media report that the investigation into the Government Agency for Strategic Reserves (RARS) has become a top priority for the ruling Law and Justice (PiS) party ahead of upcoming elections. As Andrzej Stankiewicz told the programme „Stan Wyjątkowy”, “the RARS investigation is one of the priorities for Żur, because he must prove something before the elections.” The scandal involves several hundred million zlotys allegedly siphoned from the agency to companies linked to the Prime Minister’s circle, with goods supplied at inflated prices.

At the same time, former deputy justice minister Marcin Romanowski remains abroad, avoiding Polish courts. His lawyers have asked a Polish court to lift the European Arrest Warrant, arguing that the warrant applies only to EU member states and that Romanowski is currently in a non‑EU country. Over recent months he has moved between Hungary, Serbia, Croatia and has been rumored to be in the United States. Prosecutors say he is evading prosecution for his role in the RARS affair, while his defenders portray the case as political persecution.