On 16 November in Bogatynia, police officers arrested Piotr K., who was found carrying “A list of voters from one of the polling districts in Bogatynia”, along with a sheet of paper containing handwritten names and numbers.
It was established that Piotr K. had received money—approximately PLN 2,050—from one of the candidates for the City Council. He was supposed to use it to buy voters’ support.
It was subsequently established that K. gave the money, among others, to Sandra A., Marian G., Henryk L., Barbara K. and others. These people were charged with accepting a financial benefit of between PLN 50 and PLN 100 in exchange for voting for a specific candidate for the Zgorzelec County Council and a specific candidate for the Bogatynia City Council.
The investigation is ongoing. Police officers are arresting further people involved in the scheme.
The findings to date indicate that approximately 20 people in total may be charged with electoral bribery, including candidates for the City Council and County Council who provided Piotr K. and other intermediaries with funds for this purpose.
All suspects face up to five years in prison.
District Prosecutor’s Office in Jelenia Góra/ii