Polish prosecutors initiate trial proceedings in fake diploma scandal
Polish prosecutors have filed an indictment against 29 individuals, marking a partial conclusion of the investigation into the issuance of fraudulent MBA diplomas by the private Collegium Humanum University.
Katarzyna Calow-Jaszewska, spokesperson for the National Prosecutor's Office, announced on Thursday that the first indictment in the case "covers a total of 67 crimes, primarily corruption-related, as well as accusations of falsifying information in the documentation verifying the course of studies at Collegium Humanum, fraud and money laundering."
According to prosecutors, those accused include politicians, university rectors, professors, lecturers and even firefighters.
To date, investigators have filed 389 charges against 78 individuals in the sprawling probe. Authorities have also frozen PLN 176 million (EUR 41.6 mln) in assets to secure potential future penalties.
Founded in Warsaw in 2018, Collegium Humanum offered fast-track MBA programmes that enabled graduates to obtain seats on supervisory boards and positions within state-owned enterprises. However, prosecutors say the diplomas were ultimately revealed to be counterfeit, as the institution lacked the legal authority to confer MBA degrees, as did the foreign partner universities it worked with.
Despite this, numerous graduates went on to assume prominent roles across Poland, including various politicians, government agency personnel, and members of the military and security services. (PAP)
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