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PiS presidential candidate brought notary to jail to acquire apartment from detained pensioner: report

16.05.2025 15:55
Karol Nawrocki, the Law and Justice (PiS) party's presidential candidate, is facing criticism following reports that he arranged for a notary to visit a detention center to finalize the purchase of an apartment from an incarcerated senior citizen.  
Karol Nawrocki (pictured) serves as the head of Polands Institute of National Remembrance (IPN). He presents himself as an independent candidate, though his presidential bid is backed by the right-wing populist Law and Justice (PiS) party, now in opposition to the ruling Civic Coalition (KO).
Karol Nawrocki (pictured) serves as the head of Poland's Institute of National Remembrance (IPN). He presents himself as an independent candidate, though his presidential bid is backed by the right-wing populist Law and Justice (PiS) party, now in opposition to the ruling Civic Coalition (KO).Photo: PAP/Krzysztof Ćwik

According to Polish news outlet Onet.pl, in January 2012, Karol Nawrocki facilitated the acquisition of a studio apartment in Gdańsk from Jerzy Ż., a senior citizen who was in pre-trial detention at the time. 

Unconventional property transaction raises ethical concerns

Nawrocki brought a notary to the detention center to complete the transaction, as evidenced by the notarized deed obtained by Onet. 

Prior to this, Nawrocki had reportedly loaned Jerzy Ż. funds to purchase the municipal apartment from the city, securing a 90% discount. 

The payment for this transaction was made directly from Nawrocki's personal account, with the transfer labeled as "purchase of the apartment for Mr. Jerzy Ż."

In 2021, Nawrocki signed a formal agreement committing to provide lifelong care for Jerzy Ż., including housing, food, clothing, and medical assistance. 

However, reports indicate that Jerzy Ż. was later placed in a state-run care facility without Nawrocki's involvement, raising questions about the fulfillment of this commitment.

Discrepancies in property declarations and public statements

During a recent presidential debate, Nawrocki said he owned only one apartment. However, his official asset declaration lists two properties: his primary residence and the Gdańsk apartment acquired from Jerzy Ż. This discrepancy has led to public scrutiny and allegations of misleading statements.

The controversy has intensified following a press conference by PiS officials, who claimed that Nawrocki and his wife purchased the apartment for PLN 120,000 (EUR 28,128). 

Contradictorily, Nawrocki later stated in an interview that he withheld the full payment from Jerzy Ż., citing concerns for the senior's well-being. These conflicting accounts have fueled further debate over the ethical implications of the transaction.

As the presidential campaign progressed, the incident cast a shadow over Nawrocki's candidacy, prompting discussions about transparency and ethical conduct in public service.

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Source: IAR/Onet.pl/X/@OnetWiadomosci