Polish Justice Minister seeks to lift immunity and detain former Orlen chief
Justice Minister Waldemar Żurek has asked the European Parliament to strip Daniel Obajtek of his immunity and approve his arrest over alleged fuel-price violations in autumn 2023.
Poland’s Justice Minister Waldemar Żurek announced on X that he has filed a motion with European Parliament President Roberta Metsola to lift the immunity of MEP Daniel Obajtek and to grant permission for his arrest and temporary detention. The request stems from an investigation into alleged illegal fuel-price reductions carried out in the autumn of 2023, which the ministry says were directed by Obajtek while he headed Orlen, bypassing standard economic and logistical procedures.
Authorities claim the price cuts led to fuel shortages at hundreds of stations. In response, Obajtek posted on X that he would accept detention only if former Prime Minister Donald Tusk were imprisoned as well, referencing Tusk’s earlier statements on fuel pricing. The move highlights a growing political clash over the handling of the fuel-price issue ahead of upcoming elections.
Why it matters
The case could set a precedent for holding high-level business leaders accountable for market manipulation in Poland.
How the sides frame it
MODERATE AGREEMENTBoth camps report the Justice Minister’s request to lift the MEP’s immunity and the fuel-price probe, but right-leaning coverage adds a focus on the political clash and Obajtek’s retaliatory comment about former Prime Minister Donald Tusk, which left-leaning coverage does not mention.
LEFT
Frames the story as a legal and economic investigation into alleged fuel-price undercutting that caused shortages and billions in damages, emphasizing the request to lift immunity and possible prison terms.
RIGHT
Frames the story as a politically charged showdown, highlighting Obajtek’s conditional response about imprisoning Donald Tusk and portraying the move as part of a growing political clash.
The left emphasises
- request to waive parliamentary immunity of Daniel Obajtek
- investigation into alleged fuel-price undercutting and resulting shortages
- damages to Orlen estimated at more than PLN 4.1 billion
- potential prison sentence of up to 25 years
The right emphasises
- political clash surrounding the immunity lift
- Obajtek’s statement that he would accept detention only if Donald Tusk were imprisoned
- authorities claim price cuts led to fuel shortages at hundreds of stations
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