Polish Justice Minister Waldemar Żurek has called for a comprehensive inquiry into the sale of 160‑hectare farmland earmarked for the Central Transport Hub, citing concerns over timing and possible misuse of public office.
Minister Recalls Prosecutor’s Findings
Justice Minister Waldemar Żurek reiterated the information released earlier by the prosecutor’s office. The Warsaw District Prosecutor’s Office said the investigation began after checks linked to alleged overreach by public officials of the KOWR. Officials of the National Centre for Agricultural Support were found to have acted “in short intervals and under pre‑planned intent, for financial gain.”
Prosecutors Needed Time to Gather Evidence
“Prosecutors had to calmly collect the material,” Żurek said. “We did not inform about this matter earlier because prosecutors needed to calmly gather evidence so the investigation could start on firm grounds.” He added that the decisions made “literally a moment before PiS transferred power raise serious doubts and public outrage.” He vowed to “investigate to the bottom, from the first letter to the last signature.”
Sale of Farmland Sparks Debate
At the end of PiS’s rule, the Ministry of Agriculture approved the sale of a 160‑hectare site originally intended for the CPK logistics hub and the high‑speed railway. The land was sold to the vice‑president of the Dawtona company for 22 million PLN, a price that could rise to about 400 million PLN over time. Party leader Jarosław Kaczyński announced the suspension of former Agriculture Minister Robert Telus and his deputy, Rafał Romanowski, from PiS membership, pending resolution of the matter.
CPK Seeks to Reclaim Property
Infrastructure deputy minister and CPK project negotiator Maciej Lasek said the sale looked like a deliberate act and a “political deal.” He noted that prices for land around the planned airport would rise and that the transaction proceeded despite objections from the managing company’s authorities. Current CPK CEO Filip Czernicki pledged to recover the property, potentially through an agreement with the current owner or, failing that, via compulsory expropriation.
Public Outrage and Continued Scrutiny
The revelations have intensified public scrutiny, with calls for transparent investigation and accountability from all parties involved.
