Those detained include a former associate of RARS, identified only as Łukasz J., who served as an adviser to the agency's head at the the time, and two representatives of a coal-sector company, identified as Waldemar M.-Z. and Artur M.-Z.
Prosecutors allege that one of the suspects, acting with authorization from the then-head of RARS, influenced procurement procedures to secure a coal supply contract for a selected company.
Investigators said the company lacked the necessary experience, technical capacity and personnel to carry out the contract.
Poland’s state development bank refused to grant it financing, and the Central Anti-Corruption Bureau (CBA) issued a negative assessment, Dobrzyński said.
Despite this, the company’s executives obtained more favorable contract terms through amendments, investigators said, including advance payments, changes to transport arrangements and the avoidance of contractual penalties, while also profiting from coal storage.
The probe concerns allegations of abuse of power and failure to fulfill duties by RARS officials in connection with coal procurement contracts.
Investigators say these actions led to the purchase of lower-quality coal and caused significant losses to the public interest and the agency, estimated at around PLN 530 million (EUR 125 million, USD 145 million).
Authorities are also examining whether some of the coal originated from Russia.
Prosecutors have charged the three suspects with participating in an organized criminal group and with abuse of power.
One of them, Łukasz J., also faces an additional charge of offering a financial benefit to a public official in exchange for violating the law, reporters were told.
The suspects deny the allegations and have given statements, officials said.
Prosecutors imposed bail of PLN 300,000 on Łukasz J., along with police supervision, a ban on contacting other suspects and a travel ban with passport seizure.
The two other suspects were placed under police supervision and ordered not to contact others involved in the case.
The investigation was launched in March following a complaint filed by RARS under its new management, after the 2023 ouster of the previous government led by the right-wing Law and Justice (PiS) party.
It is the second probe into alleged irregularities at the agency; a separate investigation has already led to charges against several individuals and indictments related to contracts for power generators and COVID-19 protection gear.
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