Prosecutors Seek to Strip Senator Marcin Zawiła of Immunity

The Wrocław Regional Prosecutor’s Office has requested the waiver of parliamentary immunity for KO Senator Marcin Zawiła, who is accused of malfeasance during his tenure as mayor of Jelenia Góra.

Allegations of Official Misconduct

The request to revoke immunity stems from an investigation into irregularities regarding the sale of municipal housing. Prosecutors allege that between November 2016 and July 2017, Marcin Zawiła, while serving as mayor, bypassed mandatory competitive bidding procedures to assign municipal apartments to specific individuals.

Investigators further claim that the former mayor unfairly assessed the financial situation of the beneficiaries. A property originally designated for open-market sale was rented and subsequently sold to the tenants with a 99 percent discount, allegedly causing the city to lose approximately 170,000 PLN.

Investigation and Legal Process

The Wrocław Regional Prosecutor’s Office initiated the investigation in March 2023. The case involves five municipal officials and three other individuals, with an indictment against them filed last October. Because Zawiła holds senatorial immunity, his case was separated into a distinct proceeding requiring parliamentary approval for prosecution.

Senator’s Response

Senator Zawiła confirmed he will waive his immunity to face the charges in court, stating that the events occurred ten years ago. He maintains that the apartment allocation was made to individuals who had lost their previous home in a fire and qualified for a unit requiring renovation.

Political Career Overview

Marcin Zawiła served as mayor of Jelenia Góra from 1990 to 1994 and again from 2010 to 2018. His career includes terms in the Sejm as a member of the Democratic Union, Freedom Union, and Civic Platform, as well as service in the Lower Silesian Regional Assembly before his election to the Senate in 2023.