Buzek criticizes NIK over handling of telecom ministry corruption allegations

Prime Minister Jerzy Buzek has criticized the Supreme Board of Inspection (NIK) for its handling of the case of alleged corruption within the telecommunications ministry. On Friday Telecommunications Minister Tomasz Szyszko was suspended, as a result of a letter written by NIK deputy chairman Jacek Uczkiewicz, a former member of the Democratic Left Alliance (SLD), in which he accused the ministry of financial irregularities. However, after reading a NIK report on its investigation submitted to his office yesterday, Buzek said the letter had been “based neither on facts nor on the inspection protocols of the NIK.” He went on to accuse the NIK of political interference. (Rzeczpospolita, p. A3) M.T.