In the spotlight: Mariusz Kamiński

Criticism of Kamiński's work as the head of CBA was presented in a report prepared by the Government Plenipotentiary for the Struggle against Corruption, Julia Pitera, in late December. According to Pitera, the CBA had no legal right to create the false documents it used in an investigation into corruption in the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development. The report also claimed that an investigation into former PO member Beata Sawicka was unlawful, since the CBA hadn't had any reason to suspect her before the investigation started.

Kamiński was able to refute the claims, however, providing evidence and legal arguments that both matters were legally sound.

The ruling Civic Platform (PO) party would like to see Kamiński removed from his post, claiming he is unqualified for the position. Prime Minister Donald Tusk, speaking to the press, claimed that Kamiński mixed the duties of the CBA head with the tasks of a politician. Kamiński is due to meet with the Prime Minister this week to discuss the former's future at the CBA.

Meanwhile, Kamiński received support last week in the form of an open letter penned by Polish intellectuals and public figures and published in the Rzeczpospolita daily. The authors asked PM Tusk to exercise prudence and impartiality in dealing with the CBA head.

Born in 1965, Mariusz Kamiński graduated from Warsaw University with a degree in history. In the 1980s he was active in the anticommunist opposition as a member of Independent Students' Union, among other associations. He served as a deputy in the Sejm from 1997-2006, representing the Law and Justice party for a number of years. Kamiński resigned from his mandate in 2006 in order to head the newly formed CBA.