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Poland's Tusk calls prosecutor over prospective Orlen scandal

Poland's prime minister stated on Monday he had actually called the country's chief district attorney and secret services planner to discuss prospective links in between the former CEO of oil refiner Orlen, Daniel Obajtek, and Iranbacked Lebanese group Hezbollah.

Obajtek responded on social networks platform X that Prime Minister Donald Tusk was trying to find scandals where there are none.

State-controlled Orlen stated last week it had cancelled contracts signed by its Swiss trading system OTS to buy Venezuelan oil and improved items after losing around 1.6 billion zloty ($ 397 million) on prepayments for shipments it never ever received.

Today I asked ... for a check out regarding a key issue for state security: the billion-dollar loss and possible links with Hezbollah of the previous head of Orlen. Poles must know the reality, Tusk composed on X, referring to his requests to the chief prosecutor and the secret services planner.

The cabinet member accountable for collaborating Poland's. unique services, Tomasz Siemoniak, informed broadcaster TVN24 that. the meeting with Tusk would take place on Monday evening.

This will be an opportunity to reveal the prime minister what. the state of the six examinations into Orlen is and how the. district attorney general and I see these matters, Siemoniak said.

Orlen established the Switzerland-based trading business despite. a warning by its internal security unit that it would position dangers. of fraud and could expose the refiner to a breach of oil. sanctions, news site Onet reported on Monday.

Onet also said the previous CEO of OTS, referred to as Samer. A. due to Polish privacy laws, was suspected by Orlen's internal. security unit of contacts with Hezbollah.

Orlen decreased in an emailed statement to talk about media. reports, but said it verifies that the company runs. suitable units whose task is to validate potential financial investments. and specialists.

Onet estimated a statement by Obajtek that said the choice to. develop OTS was made by Orlen's whole 11-person management. board and was in line with its business governance treatments.

Orlen's shares closed 1.2% greater on Monday, extending. year-to-date gains to 4%.

Samer A. has actually been charged in a different probe with VAT. scams between 2008-2013, a local prosecutor in Bydgoszcz. said on Monday. He was apprehended by authorities and questioned by a. district attorney in February, and launched on bail, the prosecutor. added.

Obajtek stated in his post on X that Tusk's party was. worried that Obajtek would run in upcoming elections to the. European Parliament with the support of the opposition Law &&. Justice celebration.