Today, in accordance with the procedures laid down by the EPPO Regulation and the Polish national law, the European Chief Prosecutor requested to the Polish Parliament (Sejm) the lifting of immunity of one active Member of Parliament for suspected trading in influence in an investigation of the European Public Prosecutor's Office (EPPO) in Katowice, linked to the EU funded modernization of tram infrastructure in the Upper Silesian-Zaglebie Metropolis.
As reported in December 2025, the ongoing investigation is looking into suspected active and passive corruption in relation to a company responsible for the tram infrastructure in Upper Silesian-Zagłębie Metropolis, funded by the EU for PLN 1.9 billion (€448.3 million) between 2007 and 2027.
A senior public official was arrested in December 2025 and has remained in pre-trial detention ever since. It is alleged that this public official, starting from 2021, provided confidential information to a favored company to ensure that the firm would be awarded a contract. Evidence gathered so far shows a system of corruption where inflated costs were approved of fictitious works settled. Thanks to the EPPO's investigation, further offenses were prevented, and the tender was canceled.
The evidence also showed that, on several occasions, financial benefits were given to a Member of Parliament. For the EPPO to be able to proceed with this investigation and to establish the facts, while searching for inculpatory as well as exculpatory evidence, the European Chief Prosecutor has requested today, in accordance with Article 29 of the EPPO Regulation, the lifting of the immunity of this Member of Parliament.
In the last few weeks, the Central Anti-Corruption Bureau – Branch Office in Katowice (Centralne Biuro Antykorupcyjne – Delegatura w Katowicach) carried out searches in private residences and the office of the Member of Parliament. Six people were arrested and charged with corruption offenses. No further details will be made public for the time being, in order not to endanger the outcome of the ongoing proceedings.
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All persons concerned are presumed innocent until proven guilty in the competent Polish courts of law.
The EPPO is the independent public prosecution office of the European Union. It is responsible for investigating, prosecuting and bringing to judgment crimes against the financial interests of the EU.
Poland: EPPO expands investigation into corruption related to tram modernization in Upper Silesian-Zagłębie Metropolis
(Luxembourg, May 5, 2026) – Today, in accordance with the procedures specified in the Regulation on the establishment of the European Public Prosecutor's Office and Polish national law, the European Chief Prosecutor requested the Polish Sejm to lift the immunity of one of the active members of parliament in connection with the suspicion of trading in influence within the framework of the investigation of the European Public Prosecutor's Office (EPPO) in Katowice, related to the modernization of tram infrastructure in the Upper Silesian-Zagłębie Metropolis, funded by the EU.
As we reported in December 2025, the ongoing investigation concerns suspicions of active and passive corruption in relation to the activity of an entity responsible for tram infrastructure in the Upper Silesian-Zagłębie Metropolis, funded by the EU with PLN 1.9 billion (€448.3 million) from 2007–2027.
In December 2025, a senior public official was arrested and has remained in temporary detention. It is alleged that the suspect, from 2021, provided confidential information to a favored company to ensure it was awarded a contract. The evidence gathered so far indicates that bribes were paid in exchange for the approval of inflated costs or the settlement of fictitious works. Thanks to the investigation by the European Public Prosecutor's Office (EPPO), further offenses were prevented, and the tender was canceled.
The evidence also shows that financial benefits were transferred to the Member of Parliament in several cases. To enable the EPPO to continue this investigation and establish the facts by looking for both incriminating and exculpating evidence, today the European Chief Prosecutor requested, in accordance with Article 29 of the Regulation on the establishment of the European Public Prosecutor's Office, the lifting of his immunity.
In recent weeks, the Central Anti-Corruption Bureau – Delegation in Katowice conducted searches in private apartments and the Member of Parliament's office. Six people were arrested and charged with corruption offenses. No further details will be made public at this time to avoid jeopardizing the outcome of the ongoing proceedings.
All people involved are presumed innocent until proven guilty by the competent Polish courts.
The EPPO is an independent prosecution office of the European Union. It is responsible for conducting investigations, prosecuting, and bringing to judgment cases concerning crimes against the EU's financial interests.
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Crime & Courts Correspondent
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