Poland’s cash-for-visa investigation finds evidence against senior members of former government

WARSAW, Poland — The parliamentary committee investigating Poland’s cash-for-visa scandal said on Tuesday it would send evidence of alleged law violations by the former prime minister and other senior members of his former prime minister. right wing government to prosecutors.

The special panel was established to investigate allegations of irregularities in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ visa department, particularly between 2018 and 2023, with alleged involvement of Polish consulates in Asia and Africa. received thousands of dollars in exchange for a work visaThe door for immigrants to enter the European Union has been opened.

In one of the most egregious examples, dozens of farmers from India were identified in their visa documents as Bollywood filmmakers.

Special commission chairman Marek Sowa presented a preliminary report on the panel’s findings on Tuesday after interviewing witnesses and officials and reviewing documents.

Sowa said the commission will inform prosecutors alleged violations Law linked to former prime minister Mateusz Morawiecki, former interior minister Mariusz Kaminski and former foreign minister Zbigniew Rau, as well as eight other senior officials. The panel’s report includes allegations of negligence, corruption and abuse of power.

Sowa said Morawiecki’s Law and Justice government contributed to the uncontrolled flow of immigrants to Poland and the EU. Poland has since tightened visa regulations.

An investigation by the Polish Supreme Audit Office earlier this year confirmed allegations that the country’s consulates in Asia and Africa were charging significant fees. work visa change. The audit office found a lack of transparency at the foreign ministry, as well as an environment prone to corruption and weak oversight.