Before 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Dawtona vice‑president Piotr Wielgomas was notified that KOWR chief Henryk Smolarz demanded the immediate return of Zabłotka land.
Current Allegations
Polish media reported that before 11 a.m. Wednesday, Dawtona’s vice‑president, Piotr Wielgomas, received a letter from KOWR chief Henryk Smolarz demanding the immediate return of the Zabłotka plot. The claim was confirmed by Wirtualna Polska, which cited the minister of agriculture Stefan Krajewski as having verified the letter.
Background of the Sale
On 1 December 2023, during Mateusz Morawiecki’s brief ministry, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development approved the sale of 160 hectares of land for 23 million zlotys to Dawtona. The land was intended for a high‑speed railway line from Warsaw to Drohobycz, a project that could raise its value to about 400 million zlotys after rezoning.
Legal Rights and KOWR Authority
The National Agricultural Support Centre has the right to repurchase the land at the same price within five years, a deadline that expires in December 2028. Although it is not ready to remove Smolarz from his post as a result of the scandal, he is urged to “take decisive action” by demanding the land’s return.
Investigation and Oversight
Following the disclosures, prosecutors opened an investigation on Monday into alleged abuse of power by KOWR officials. Wielgomas has stated that he bought the land as a private farmer, exercising the right of first refusal granted to leaseholders, and was unaware that the site was earmarked for the CPK project.
Political Fallout
After the scandal erupted, Jarosław Kaczyński announced the suspension of four former Law and Justice party officials, including former Agriculture Minister Robert Telus, former Deputy Chief of the Ministry Rafał Romanowski, former KOWR chief Waldemar Humięcki, and former KOWR deputy director Jerzy Wal.
