NIK submits a notification to the prosecutor’s office. “Suspicion that Morawiecki committed a crime”
The Supreme Audit Office assessed that Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki “did not fulfill his obligation to ensure the economical spending of public funds.” Due to the suspicion of committing a crime by the head of government, a report was submitted to the prosecutor’s office.
The case was first reported by TVN24. It concerns the Prime Minister’s decision, which – according to the Supreme Audit Office – was not preceded by an analysis of the demand for the number of beds for COVID-19 patients. A moment later, the reports were confirmed by the Supreme Audit Office itself. “The delegation in Katowice submitted a notification regarding a reasonable suspicion of committing a crime by the Prime Minister,” it was reported.
“Inspection activities at the Chancellery of the Prime Minister revealed important facts regarding activities during the COVID-19 pandemic. Failure to ensure targeted and economical spending of public funds and reliable performance of the duties of the administrative body,” we read in the statement.
The State Treasury was to lose over PLN 69 million. NIK blames Mateusz Morawiecki
NIK reminds that on October 19, 2020, the Prime Minister issued an administrative decision on the establishment of a temporary hospital at the PGE National Stadium in Warsaw.
“However, he did not include an explanation regarding the actual situation regarding the actual need for a specific number of beds for COVID-19 patients. A similar omission occurred in the case of incorrect estimation of the availability of beds for COVID-19 patients in existing hospitals in Warsaw. These, however, in full and with an appropriate reserve, would be sufficient to secure the treatment of COVID-19 patients,” it added. The Supreme Audit Office claims that this action resulted in a loss of PLN 69,813.4 thousand to the State Treasury. zloty
NIK notifies the prosecutor’s office. This is about the Prime Minister’s actions during the pandemic
According to the Supreme Audit Office, this indicates a suspicion of committing a crime described in Article 231, paragraph 3 of the Penal Code. This article states in the first paragraph that “a public official who, exceeding his powers or failing to fulfill his duties, acts to the detriment of the public or private interest, shall be subject to the penalty of imprisonment for up to 3 years.”
In the third paragraph, it specifies that “if the perpetrator of the act specified in paragraph 1 acts unintentionally and causes significant damage, he or she shall be subject to a fine, restriction of liberty or imprisonment for up to 2 years.”
The National Hospital ceased operations in May 2021. Since its opening – on November 5, 2020 – 1,850 patients have been cared for by local medical staff, and 2,448 standard hospitals have contacted the National Hospital Coordination Center to transfer patients.
At the peak of the third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, the National Hospital had 350 patients at a time, with 550 beds ready and a maximum potential for expansion to 1,200 beds in a short time. 90 people were mechanically ventilated at the same time. During one 12-hour shift, patients were cared for by 30 doctors, 108 nurses and 30 paramedics.
More information coming soon