Romanowski in Transnistria? Prosecutors Have Only His Statement

National Prosecutor’s Office spokesperson Przemysław Nowak stated that investigators rely solely on a letter sent by former Deputy Minister Marcin Romanowski to the court regarding his alleged stay in Transnistria.

Application Sent From Tiraspol

An application for a letter of safe conduct submitted by former Deputy Minister of Justice and PiS MP Marcin Romanowski was received by the Regional Court in Warsaw. The letter and envelope indicate that the shipment was sent from Tiraspol in Transnistria.

Romanowski faces formal charges in an investigation concerning irregularities in the Justice Fund. The prosecution accuses him of participating in an organized criminal group and rigging competitions for funds from this source.

Lack of Certainty Regarding the Sender

During a press conference on Wednesday, the National Prosecutor’s Office spokesperson was asked whether prosecutors are certain that the letter was actually sent by the former deputy minister.

Prosecutor Nowak stated that they have no certainty, noting only the general principle of the presumption of document credibility. He added that the letter was signed by hand with Romanowski’s name, and while it was not examined by a handwriting expert, the signature appears similar.

Prosecutor’s Stance on the Letter of Safe Conduct

The spokesperson emphasized that regarding Romanowski’s possible stay in Transnistria, the prosecution has only a statement. He noted that the investigating prosecutor has not yet developed an official stance on Romanowski’s request, while recalling that prosecutors have the right to object to a letter of safe conduct.

Novak expressed his personal view that a letter of safe conduct should not be a reward for a successful escape, arguing that cases involving such requests require a higher degree of plausibility regarding the suspect’s whereabouts and a likelihood that the suspect will appear in court without obstructing proceedings.

Passport With Another Identity Mentioned in the Letter

The National Prosecutor’s Office spokesperson was also asked about information in the court filing suggesting Romanowski has the ability to travel on a passport with a different identity to move outside EU nations, and how that is possible.

Noting he cannot explain how it is possible, Nowak quoted the text from the document: “I inform you that in accordance with the law, legally, I have been issued a passport with a different identity, on a similar principle as crown witnesses, to move freely outside the European Union.” He added that he quoted the sentence in full without any further elaboration.