On 28 October, the European Public Prosecutor’s Office in Katowice suspended Nowy Sącz’s mayor, a deputy and a senior city official over an EU‑funded tender investigation.
EPPO Suspension Decision
The European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) announced that it would suspend the mayor of Nowy Sącz, one of his deputies and another high‑ranking city official from performing their official duties. The action is a preventive measure under Polish law, linked to an ongoing investigation into a tender financed partly by European Union funds.
Local Officials React
On 25 October, Deputy Mayor Ludomir Handzel said the officials would “return to work” after a court dismissed four arrest warrants. Handzel praised the judiciary for aligning decisions with the law. Deputy Mayor Artur Bochenek noted that the city’s employees have been barred from entering city headquarters and from contacting certain individuals, yet officials maintain their innocence.
Oversight of the Tender Project
The Małopolska Voivodeship Marshal’s Office oversaw the project. Its monitoring team confirmed that the project was implemented within the scope agreed for co‑financing. It reported that the municipal company won part of the tender by offering the lowest price, beating private competitors.
Deputy Mayor’s Defense
Bochenek stated that the accusations are baseless, consisting of defamation and insinuations. He asserted that no crime was committed and that the city is ready to prove its innocence before an independent court.
