Former ministers face proceedings over rights to Yamal pipeline cables

Former industry minister Waclaw Niewiarowski and one deputy industry minister, along with three former members of the management of Polish Oil and Gas (PGNiG) will face charges on the loss of control, by the Polish government, over the fiber optic cable placed along the Yamal pipeline. "Former ministers did not fulfill their duties, they abused their power and acted against the interest of PGNiG. This resulted in a zl. 1.6 million loss for the company," said spokesperson of Gdansk prosecutor Konrad Kornatowski. The former ministers may be imprisoned for up to 10 years if found guilty. According to the prosecutors office they took unfavorable decisions about the creation of a company responsible for running the Polish section of the Yamal pipeline and about the partnership in charge of the fiber optic cable. The company which has the commercial rights to use of the cable was set up without the involvement of PGNiG. Court proceedings will be secret. However, it is known that former state officials, former officials of State Security Office (UOP) and Aleksander Gudzowaty will be questioned. (Rzeczpospolita, pp. A1, A3) M.M.