In an interview with the conservative news outlet wPolityce.pl, Michał Kuczmierowski, the former president of the Government Agency for Strategic Reserves (RARS) during the previous conservative government in Poland, stated that he is not evading justice but is seeking a fair legal process.
“I am not fleeing from justice, nor am I seeking any refuge. However, I am interested in a fair trial. I want to return to Poland when I have the guarantee of fair proceedings,” Kuczmierowski said..
The allegations against Kuczmierowski involve contracts for the purchase of masks and power generators for Ukraine without a tender process, with RARS allegedly signing contracts for generators that were never delivered to Ukraine. Instead, they were reportedly delivered to units of the Polish fire service during an election campaign. The contracts were allegedly awarded to Paweł Sz., creator of the clothing brand Red is Bad, which is worn by leading Polish politicians.
Kuczmierowski has denied any wrongdoing and insisted that all procurement procedures were conducted competitively, with objective criteria for decision-making.
“We always ensured that the contractual procedures were conducted competitively, allowing for the verification of offers. The financial conditions, the conditions regarding delivery times — all of this is in the documents, and it can be verified. I have no doubt that this matter will be clarified to our satisfaction,” said Kuczmierowski.
He also criticized the narrative being pushed by the media and the prosecution, arguing that there is no solid evidence to support the allegations against him.
“The decision in my case was intended to start a media-political show of searching for and pursuing a collaborator of Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki. I emphasize: The prosecution did not contact me, nor did it attempt to establish contact,” Kuczmierowski said.
The former head of Poland’s strategic reserves agency has been critical of how the current proceedings are being conducted, arguing that they are not fair or professional but rather driven by political motives. He has expressed his intention to use all available legal avenues, including appealing the court’s decision to arrest him and requesting a “safe conduct” or “iron letter” which would allow him to respond to the charges while at liberty.
He expressed his dismay at those who have already judged him guilty and are applauding the political spectacle.
“I have never stolen anything, and I have always acted with the public interest in mind. What the prosecution is doing is driven by politics. This is clear. Prime Minister Tusk announces a great hunt for PiS supporters, and the prosecution immediately plans my detention and subsequent pursuit. All of this is part of the slogan ‘f**k PiS,’ which, unfortunately, has been adopted by the prosecution and some courts. I firmly disagree with this,” he said.
Kuczmierowski revealed that he is currently seeking employment in London. He has been under investigation for nine months and believes that the public stigmatization has significantly impacted his job prospects in Poland.
“I have been under the prosecution’s radar for nine months. During this time, the prosecution was not willing to make direct contact. I am publicly branded, which makes my chances of finding a job in the country very limited. I have a family to support, including three children,” Kuczmierowski said.
