In brief

• Polish deputy foreign minister and PSL MP Władysław Teofil Bartoszewski has been charged with misappropriating entrusted funds and obstructing a creditor's recovery.
• The alleged misappropriated sums total one million pounds, 400,000 euro and almost 7 million zloty, entrusted by Andrzej Ciechanowiecki and a foundation between 2012 and 2015.
• He waived his parliamentary immunity in October; his wife faces analogous charges, and each offence carries one to 10 years in prison.

Charges announced by prosecutors

Prosecutors at the Prosecutor General's Office said the charges were presented on 4 November by a prosecutor from the Mazovia branch unit. Bartoszewski faces allegations of misappropriating entrusted funds and of obstructing or reducing the satisfaction of a creditor's claim (Bartoszewski usłyszał zarzuty. Prokuratura wylicza milionowe kwoty – Bankier.pl) (Władysław Teofil Bartoszewski usłyszał zarzuty. Jest komunikat prokuratury – polsatnews.pl) (Wiceszef MSZ z zarzutami. Prokuratura ujawnia – Polskie Radio 24). Each offence carries a penalty of one to 10 years in prison (Wiceminister usłyszał zarzuty. Przywłaszczenie mienia – dorzeczy.pl) (Wiceminister spraw zagranicznych usłyszał poważne zarzuty. Komunikat prokuratury – Dziennik.pl).

Alleged misappropriation of funds

The first charge concerns the period from 9 July 2012 to 20 February 2015. In that time, Bartoszewski allegedly managed funds entrusted to him by art patron Andrzej Ciechanowiecki and the Non Omnis Moriar Foundation (Wiceminister z PSL usłyszał prokuratorskie zarzuty. Jest komunikat – Interia Wydarzenia). The total sum is reported as one million pounds, 400,000 euro and almost 7 million zloty.

Prosecutors allege that part of the money was used for his own needs and part went toward buying, renovating and furnishing three apartments in Warsaw, bought for a company owned by the deputy minister and his wife. The flats were sold between 2012 and 2015, and the proceeds were not returned to the injured party.

Alleged asset transfers

The second charge alleges that, anticipating a court ruling that would order the return of the funds, Bartoszewski gave up officially held property. This included a 600-square-metre manor house in Chajęty, valued at 5 million zloty. Prosecutors say both acts were committed together with his wife.

Response and immunity

Bartoszewski has denied guilt and provided explanations to investigators, according to reports. He waived his parliamentary immunity voluntarily in early October, which allowed the charges to be brought. Prosecutors said the charges against his wife were analogous.