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Przemysław Krych

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Przemysław Krych
Born1966
Alma materAdam Mickiewicz University in Poznań Faculty of Law and Administration
Occupation(s)entrepreneur, investor, philanthropist
Awards

Przemysław Tomasz Krych[1][2] (born 1966) is a Polish entrepreneur, investor, philanthropist, and anti-communist opposition activist.

Biography

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During his high school and university years he was involved with anti-communist opposition - supporting Solidarity - as activist of both: Independent Youth Movement[3] as well as Independent Students' Association. In 1989 took part in student strike.[4] Upon Independent Students' Association being legalized he was elected as Chairman of Audit Committee at the Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań.[5] Graduated (summa cum laude) from the Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań Faculty of Law and Administration, where - then - worked as assistant professor.[6] In 1993 passed barrister exam and was appointed to the Bar at the District Chamber in Poznań.[7]

In 2001 he founded Cornerstone Partners[8] (currently Cornerstone Investment Management)[9][unreliable source?][10] and in 2006 – Griffin Real Estate (currently Griffin Capital Partners[11]). Prior to founding Cornerstone Investment Management he worked as Emerging Europe Private Equity Funds Managing Director at Franklin Templeton Investments, and earlier at Bank Handlowy (currently Citi Handlowy), among others - as: Head of the Investment Committee, Member of the Credit Committee i Member of the Management Committee.[12]

He was detained on December 17, 2017, and then temporarily arrested after the decision of the 4th Criminal Division of the Katowice-Wschód District Court on charges of paying bribes to a senator PiS Stanisław Kogut, in the form of donations - provided by third parties - to the Foundation for Disabled Persons in Stróże.[13] On September 23, 2019, he gave an interview to Bloomberg Businessweek, in which he talked about the behind-the-scenes of the arrest.[14] July 1, 2021, in an interview for Onet.pl mentioned the former spokesman of PiS – Adam Hofman, who, after Krych was released, offered him a meeting with Zbigniew Ziobro (at that time the Minister of Justice) and his wife Patrycja Kotecka to "clarify the situation". Another person mentioned by Krych in the interview was Krzysztof Porowski – a businessman from Sosnowiec, once accused of extortion of 5 mln PLN from the Social Insurance Institution and the corruption of the vice-president of the Katowice District Court.[15] Before Krych's arrest, he offered to "solve the problem" for a bribe of EUR 1.5 million, and during Krych's arrest, he also offered Krych's business partner, his release for the same amount. Porowski claimed that he represents a person high in the hierarchy of the secret services.[16] On July 4, 2021, during the first press conference after returning from Brussels, Donald Tusk mentioned the lack of reaction of the prosecutor's office and the Minister of Justice to the specific situations provided by Krych.

His arrest by the CBA and 6-month detention in 2018 were described in numerous publications as one of the most significant abuses of power against entrepreneurs by the prosecutor's office under the leadership of Zbigniew Ziobro. The case was described, among others: in the book "The Hunt - how business is destroyed in Poland" by Helena Kowalik-Ciemińska and Szymon Krawiec - editor in Wprost,[17] and in the report "Punishing philanthropy in Poland: the case of Przemysław Krych" by Open Dialogue Foundation[18] - as well as - in the report of the Open Dialog Foundation and Judges Association "Themis" on the politicization of the Polish prosecutor's office in 2015-2023.[19][20] The case was also mentioned as one of three examples of persecution of entrepreneurs in Poland in the written declaration Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe from April 2023, where it was written: "The persecution of entrepreneurs such as Piotr Osiecki and Przemysław Krych, and recently the president of the entrepreneurs' organization Maciej Witucki continues. Actions against them, including security raids, arbitrary detentions and criminal charges, not only harm individual entrepreneurs but also foster a hostile environment for entrepreneurship and investment.".[21]

May 6, 2020 in Telewizja Polska Wiadomości broadcast a material entitled "Who finances Hołownia's (about:Szymon Hołownia) campaign", for which this broadcaster was sued. On March 21, 2023, the program's editors apologized to Przemysław Krych for stating that he was a person "involved in suspicious dealings" and his business activities "raised huge doubts".[22]

In February 2024, his case was included - alongside 10 other entrepreneurs and former managers of companies related to State Treasury of Poland - in an appeal from non-governmental circles calling Attorney General Adam Bodnar for "a review of politically motivated prosecutorial proceedings in 2015-2023 and the rehabilitation of the victims." The appeal was signed by 35 non-governmental organizations and 43 public figures from the world of science, culture and politics, including: former president Lech Wałęsa, Leszek Balcerowicz, Władysław Frasyniuk, Agnieszka Holland, Michał Boni, Zbigniew Hołdys, Krystyna Janda, Tomasz Lis, Hanna Machińska, Marcin Matczak, Janina Ochojska, Wojciech Sadurski, Kuba Sienkiewicz and Andrzej Zoll.[23][24]

During the European Economic Congress on 7-9 May 2024 was invited as a speaker to the panel: How an unprofessional and oppressive system deals with business. In 'Rule of law and business'.[25] May 8, 2024 - Puls Biznesu published an article "How temporary will temporary detentions be", in which it describes what changes Adam Bodnar announced in the use of temporary detention. Entrepreneurs appreciate the direction, but not their scope. The article includes Przemysław Krychs opinion from the European Economic Congress panel.[26]

7 September 2024 - Gazeta Wyborcza publishes an interview with Przemyslaw Krych. Interview about his dentention and arrest. The interview opens: "I asked you for this interview because I want you to detail your experiences with the PiS judicial system. Today, we hear about the torture of Maciej Wąsik and Mariusz Kamiński, the martyrdom of Father Michał Olszewski detained in connection with grants from the infamous Justice Fund. Meanwhile, the cases involving businessmen targeted by the authorities, accused of corruption by Ziobro's prosecutors, have gone quiet. I’d like to break that silence.".[27]

30 September 2024 - The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe expressed concern regarding the politicisation of the State prosecution service in Poland. Issued a written declaration that urges the Polish Government to conduct a full and transparent audit of all cases flagged by members, civil society and media, dismiss prosecutors who abused power and hold them accountable while rehabilitating their victims including Przemysław Krych. the declaration mentions also: Paweł Wojtunik, Jakub Karnowski and other politically motivated cases, including: Piotr Osiecki, Maciej Bodnar, Michał Lubiński, Rafał Markiewicz, Bartosz Kramek, Tomasz Misiak, Wojciech Łączewski and Marcin Fall.[28]

Philanthropic activities

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Philanthropic activities include supporting the following foundations and initiatives:

Awards

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  • Lifetime achievement award by Prime Property Prize 2015,[39]
  • Personality of the Year Propertynews.pl 2014.[40]

Decorations

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Board memberships

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Currently:

  • Chairman: Ecowipes, Okechamp.
  • Member: ProService,[45] LuxVet Group.[46]

Past:

  • Chairman: Hortex, Hydroprojekt, LuxMed, Griffin Premium Real Estate, Relax Wind Parks, Spravia.[47]
  • Deputy Chairman: Cementownia Chełm, Polimex-Mostostal.[48]
  • Member: Eastbridge, Bank Handlowy International, Echo Investments,[49] Echo Polska Properties,[50] Avenga, Bombardier Transportation (Rail Engineering), E-toto, Synergia 99[51]

References

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  1. ^ a b Przemysław Krych (26 November 2023). "Byłem kolporterem – Ruch Młodzieży Niezależnej – Gorzów Wielkopolski" (in Polish).
  2. ^ "Ceremony of awarding the Crosses of Freedom and Solidarity" (in Polish). Retrieved 10 January 2024.
  3. ^ Przemysław Krych (26 November 2023). "Byłem kolporterem – Ruch Młodzieży Niezależnej – Gorzów Wielkopolski" (in Polish).
  4. ^ "Institute of National Remembrance publishing the Biogram Przemysław Tomasz Krych".
  5. ^ "Institute of National Remembrance publishing the Biogram Przemysław Tomasz Krych".
  6. ^ PAP. "Polish Press Agency - Przemysław Krych" (PDF).
  7. ^ "List of legal counsels at the District Chamber of Legal Advisors in Poznan" (in Polish).
  8. ^ Filip Kowalik (21 April 2021). "Company history – Forbes article".
  9. ^ "About the company – LinedIn profile". Retrieved 10 January 2024.
  10. ^ "About the company". Retrieved 10 January 2010.
  11. ^ "Historia Griffin Real Estate". Retrieved 10 January 2024.
  12. ^ PAP. "Polish Press Agency - Przemysław Krych" (PDF). Retrieved 10 January 2024.
  13. ^ Tomasz Sąsiada (22 December 2017). "Griffin Real Estate komentuje zatrzymanie założyciela. Chodzi o sprawę senatora Koguta".
  14. ^ Wojciech Moskwa (23 September 2019). "Has Poland's Government Become a Threat to Business?". Bloomberg.
  15. ^ Wojciech W. Wacławek (19 February 2003). "Oskarżony m.in. o korupcję biznesmen jest na wolności".
  16. ^ Andrzej Stankiewicz (1 July 2021). "Znany biznesmen zatrzymany przez CBA ujawnia, że dostał ofertę: wolność za łapówkę".
  17. ^ Polowanie – Jak się w Polsce niszczy biznes (in Polish). Retrieved 10 January 2024.
  18. ^ Martin Mycielski; Bartosz Kramek; Jan Rymszewicz (9 June 2023). "Punishing Philanthropy in Poland: Case of Przemysław Krych".
  19. ^ Natalia Melnychenko (7 October 2023). "Raport w pełnej wersji na stronie Fundacji Otwarty Dialog".
  20. ^ "Report of the Open Dialog Foundation on the prosecutor's office under the rule of the United Right". Rzeczpospolita. 29 September 2022. Retrieved 10 January 2024.
  21. ^ Zgromadzenie Parlamentarne Rady Europy (27 March 2023). "The repression of the state prosecutor's office in Poland must stop". Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe. Retrieved 15 January 2024.
  22. ^ Gazeta Wyborcza (19 April 2023). ""Wiadomości" TVP and TVP Info apologized to Przemysława Krycha".
  23. ^ "Appeal to Adama Bodnara. "Political investigations must end"" (in Polish). Onet Wiadomości. 12 February 2024. Retrieved 13 February 2024.
  24. ^ "Appeal to Adama Bodnara to end the political investigations and rehabilitation of the victims". Wyborcza.pl. 12 February 2024.
  25. ^ European Economic Congress (8 May 2014). "Rule of law and business" (in Polish).
  26. ^ Zatoński, Marcel. "Jak tymczasowe będą tymczasowe aresztowania". pb.pl. Puls Biznesu.
  27. ^ Kurski, Jarosław. "The story of a financier harassed by PiS". wyborcza.pl. Gazeta Wyborcza.
  28. ^ "Political prosecution in Poland from 2015 to 2023 must be audited and victims rehabilitated". Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe.
  29. ^ Fundacja Edukacyjna Jana Karskiego (15 April 2014). "Inauguracja Tajnego Państwa w siedzibie Fundacji" (in Polish).
  30. ^ "Rada Fundacji" (in Polish). Media Liberation Fund. Retrieved 10 January 2024.
  31. ^ "Program dziennikarstwa śledczego: Fundacja Gazety Wyborczej" (in Polish). Gazeta Wyborcza Foundation. Retrieved 10 January 2024.
  32. ^ Martin Mycielski; Bartosz Kramek; Jan Rymszewicz; Katarzyna Szczypska (30 September 2023). "Polish Public Prosecutor's Office: Selected Cases of Malicious Prosecution and Dereliction of Duties since 2015". Fundacja Otwarty Dialog. The Open Dialogue Foundation's work for the rule of law in Poland is also financially supported by Przemysław Krych.
  33. ^ Witold Gadomski. "Przemysław Krych: Mierzę się z podobną sytuacją, co Leszek Czarnecki" (in Polish).
  34. ^ Kurski, Jarosław. "The story of a financier harassed by PiS". wyborcza.pl. Gazeta Wyborcza.
  35. ^ Karolina Plinta i Martyna Merkis. "Ważne są dla nas odważne decyzje. Rozmowa z Anną Klimczak".
  36. ^ "Liderzy Biznesu ranking z 2022".
  37. ^ "Liderzy Biznesu ranking z 2016".
  38. ^ "Liderzy Biznesu ranking z 2015".
  39. ^ "Rozdanie nagród Prime Property Prize 2015". 29 September 2015.
  40. ^ "Real Estate with awards". Rzeczpospolita sekcja Nieruchomości. 24 September 2014.
  41. ^ "Dziennik Urzedowy RP" (PDF) (in Polish).
  42. ^ "Pro Patria Award ceremony".
  43. ^ a b "Beyond returns".
  44. ^ "Uroczystość wręczenia Krzyży Wolności i Solidarności". Retrieved 10 January 2024.
  45. ^ "Supervisory Board Members".
  46. ^ "LuxVet Group Supervisory Board".
  47. ^ PAP. "Polish Press Agency - Przemysław Krych" (PDF). Retrieved 10 January 2024.
  48. ^ PAP. "Polish Press Agency - Przemysław Krych" (PDF). Retrieved 10 January 2024.
  49. ^ "Prezes Griffin Real Estate w radzie nadzorczej Echo Investment".
  50. ^ "Przemysław Krych – Echo Polska Properties".
  51. ^ PAP. "Polish Press Agency - Przemysław Krych" (PDF). Retrieved 10 January 2024.
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