Warsaw court convicts six officials in Collegium Humanum bribery scandal

The District Court in Warsaw has issued the first verdicts in the high-profile Collegium Humanum corruption scandal. Six former rectors and vice-rectors of private higher education institutions were convicted of bribing officials within the Polish Accreditation Committee (PKA).

The defendants admitted to their guilt, receiving sentences negotiated with the National Prosecutor's Office. The bribes, ranging from 100,000 PLN to 650,000 PLN, were paid in exchange for positive accreditation decisions and other favorable actions for the universities they managed.

Specific penalties include suspended prison sentences and significant fines. Notably, Marek G. and Rafał K. were each ordered to pay a fine of 500,000 PLN. Other convicted individuals, including Izabela B. and Marta G., received suspended sentences and various financial penalties or bans on holding leadership positions in higher education institutions. This case is part of a broader investigation involving dozens of individuals and numerous charges of corruption, fraud, and money laundering.