CENTRAL ANTI-CORRUPTION BUREAU Arrests in the “Fast Track” NCBR Case - News

Officers from the Regional Office of the CBA in Warsaw detained eight individuals in Warsaw, Białystok, Kraków, and the Pomorskie Voivodeship. Among those detained were representatives of the project applying for the highest level of funding, as well as a person supervising the activities of the National Centre for Research and Development (NCBR).

The officers searched the detainees’ residences and secured documentation and electronic equipment that may constitute evidence in the case.

Multi-threaded Investigation Conducted by the CBA and EPPO

Since 2023, CBA officers have been conducting a multi-threaded investigation into irregularities in the awarding of grants under the “Fast Track – Digital Innovations” competition. The competition was organised by the NCBR, acting as an intermediary institution under the Smart Growth Operational Programme. The competition was addressed to entities planning to implement research and development projects, including in the fields of cybersecurity and digital creative technologies.

As part of the ongoing proceedings, the CBA, together with the European Public Prosecutor’s Office, is investigating possible financial fraud related to the selection and implementation of projects, where the pool of public funds available for allocation amounted to PLN 811,301,837.90.

Charges and Preventive Measures Applied

The detainees were brought before the Office of the Delegated European Prosecutor at the Regional Prosecutor’s Office in Warsaw. The suspects were charged, among other things, with exceeding their authority and failing to fulfil official duties, attempted fraud involving property of significant value, and influence peddling.

The prosecutor imposed non-custodial preventive measures on the suspects.

CBA Press Team