Prosecutor investigates zł.800 million bribe paid to secure purchase of Unipetrol

Hundreds of million złoty were earned on this transaction by Czech businessman Andrej Babis who is closely related to politicians of the ruling party in the Czech Republic. Prior the privatization, Orlen had to reach an agreement with Babis and sell him the chemical component of Unipetrol. According to information in Rzeczpospolita, the price was underestimated by roughly zł.800 million. The previous management of Orlen was openly discussing this issue with its advisors, as it was a must for wining the Czech Republic tender. "I have not heard anything about the agreement," said Industry Minister Milan Urban. The contract, which is confidential, was signed many months before the privatization of Unipetrol. One of the stipulations envisaged paying zł.300 million for breaching the contract. The issue is being investigated by the Kraków prosecutor. (Rzeczpospolita, pp. A1, A6) M.M.