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Poland fights corruption in local government

PR dla Zagranicy
Nick Hodge 03.04.2014 11:39
Data released by Poland's Central Anti-Corruption Bureau (CBA) reveals that 25 percent of its prosecutions were directed at branches of local government in 2013.

Photo:
Photo: cba.gov.pl

A total of 469 prosecutions were carried out in 2013 as a result of investigations by the CBA.

In spite of a 60 percent increase in complaints filed against institutions or individuals concerning corruption in 2013, the number of cases ultimately taken up by the CBA was similar to that of 2012.

"Officers from the bureau frequently have to deal with complex crimes that require a multi-faceted approach, often involving the work of several individuals,” commented CBA spokesman Jan Dobrzynski.

One of the biggest cases of 2013 involved alleged corruption in the handling of tenders for IT equipment, a case that touched several state bodies, including the Ministry of Justice, the National Police Headquarters and the Ministry of the Interior.

Although the first arrests in this investigation were carried out in 2011, 21 people were charged in 2013 alone.

According to Dobrzynski, the State Treasury could incur losses of up to to 840 million zloty (201.2 million euro) as a result of cases set in motion in 2013.

Corruption also remains a problem in the sphere of healthcare, with 8 percent of 2013's cases occurring in this sphere.

The misuse of EU funds by private individuals proved a recurrent theme in 2013, particularly in the 'Innovative Economy' Programme for 2007-2013.

One case currently being handled by the District Prosecutor's Office in Gliwice, southern Poland, as a result of a CBA probe concerns a company that secured 5.5 million zloty (1.3 million euro) from the EU for an 'Innovative Economy' project. (nh)

Source: PAP

tags: CBA, corruption
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