On August 14, the National Prosecutor’s Office filed its first indictment related to the visa scandal in Warsaw’s central district court, charging six individuals with corruption.
National Prosecutor’s Office Provides New Information on Visa Scandal
The National Prosecutor’s Office announced in a statement that on August 14, 2025, a prosecutor from the Lublin regional office of the Department for Organized Crime and Corruption sent an indictment to the District Court for Warsaw‑Śródmieście, accusing six people of the so‑called visa scandal. The accused—Beata W., Saikato B., Anzhalik R., Filip P., Monika R., and Mariusz G.—face up to eight years in prison; all except Mariusz G. pleaded guilty. For Beata W. and Saikato B., voluntary surrender agreements were arranged, allowing their court sentences to be reduced to ten months imprisonment with fines of 180,000 zł and 100,000 zł, and the forfeiture of gained benefits. The investigation of the remaining five suspects, including Edgar K. and Piotr W., continues.
Six Individuals Accused of 14 Crimes
The charges pertain to 14 offenses committed between March 2022 and April 2023, involving paid protection and provision of visas for foreigners through the influence of Edgar K.—leveraging his connections within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Polish diplomatic missions—and the then‑State Secretary in the Ministry, Piotr W. The accused were alleged to have received financial benefits or promises of such benefits in exchange for visa facilitation.
Bribes of Even Tens of Thousands of Złoty for Visas
The alleged bribes or promises ranged from two to several tens of thousands of złoty per visa. The conduct involved channeling 364 foreigners from 13 Asian countries through Piotr W. and the Department of Consular Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to Polish diplomatic units.
Ongoing Investigation
Investigations into the remaining suspects, including Edgar K. and Piotr W., are still underway.
