Former industry minister faces prosecution over pipeline agreements

In an official statement issued yesterday, prosecutors in Gdansk accused former industry and trade minister Waclaw Niewiarowski of abusing his powers of office and acting against the interests of the state treasury. The charges relate to the 'Yamal' gas pipeline linking Russia and Germany, via Poland. According to the investigating officers, Niewiarowski acted for the benefit of Aleksander Gudzowaty and two companies with which he is closely involved financially, EuRoPol Gaz and Gas Trading. Specifically, the former minister stands accused of entering into agreements concerning the pipeline that were in breach of government policy and a Polish-Russian accord. If found guilty, Niewiarowski faces up to 10 years in prison. He is the first suspect to be named in an investigation that was launched in December. (Gazeta Wyborcza, p. 19) M.T.