The Poland tram corruption investigation now includes two more suspects charged by the European Public Prosecutor’s Office. The case concerns alleged public procurement fraud and corruption. It relates to tram infrastructure modernization in the Upper Silesia-Zagłębie Metropolis.

Tram fraud: EPPO arrests executives over €448m project
Tram fraud: EPPO arrests executives over €448m project

Poland’s Central Anti-Corruption Bureau detained the two suspects. It acted at the request of the EPPO office in Katowice. Both are high-ranking public officials and face corruption charges. Polish media report that the case involves regional tram operator Tramwaje Śląskie S.A.

Authorities imposed preventive measures on the suspects, including police supervision. Also, one of the officials was suspended from performing his duties.

Separately, Polish publication ŚLĄZAG identified the detainees. It reported that one detainee is the management board president. The other is the management board’s vice president. The detentions took place in Chorzów and Katowice.

European funding in the Poland tram corruption investigation

The inquiry focuses on suspected active and passive corruption. It concerns tram infrastructure modernization across the Upper Silesia-Zagłębie Metropolis. The metropolis is a major urban area in southern Poland.

The EPPO said the investigation concerns a company responsible for the region’s tram infrastructure. According to the office, the European Union funded its projects with PLN 1.9 billion. The amount was equivalent to EUR 448.3 million. The projects were funded during the period from 2007 to 2027.

Polish media reported that the EPPO is overseeing the case because it concerns European funds. They reported that the funds were allocated to tram infrastructure modernization and expansion. In addition, the allegations include active and passive corruption and abuse of office. They also include unlawful interference in procurement outcomes and conduct harmful to the public interest.

Eleven people charged in tram procurement case

According to Polish media, 11 people have now been charged in the case. The allegations concern procurement procedures for tram infrastructure modernization in Upper Silesia and the Dąbrowa Basin.

The case became public in December 2025, when the Central Anti-Corruption Bureau detained four people. Polish media identified one of them as Roman M., an investment director at Tramwaje Śląskie. The other three were businesspeople interested in contracts with the operator.

At that time, the EPPO said a high-ranking public official was suspected of sharing confidential information with a favored company. The alleged disclosure was intended to ensure that the company would win a contract. The contract covered tram infrastructure modernization and development.

The contract was valued at more than EUR 1 million, equivalent to PLN 5 million. It was financed through the European Infrastructure, Climate, and Environment Program 2021–2027.

Investigators conducted searches in December. They seized approximately EUR 38,000 in cash and a gold bar. Polish press reports stated that the CBA later conducted another search. During that search, it discovered and seized an additional PLN 1 million in cash.

Tramwaje Śląskie says it is an injured party

Tramwaje Śląskie spokesperson Robert Walczak said the operator had received documentation. He said it showed that one detainee had been suspended from duty. He added that the allegations involving the second detainee were not connected to that person’s role at the company.

“The document received by our company today indicates that one of the individuals detained has been suspended from his duties. The charges against the second individual are unrelated to his position within the company. No investigative activities by the prosecutor’s office or other agencies have been conducted at the Tramwaje Śląskie S.A. headquarters for months. In the ongoing case that began last December and is being supervised by the European Public Prosecutor’s Office, the company has the status of an injured party. Since receiving information about this situation in December 2025, we have been cooperating with the investigating authorities. The company is operating normally. “The first test runs took place in the Chorzów market,” Robert Walczak told ŚLĄZAG.

Inflated costs, fictitious work and lawmaker immunity

In an update issued in May, the EPPO said a high-ranking public official had been in pretrial detention since December 2025. The official was suspected of providing confidential information to a favored company from 2021 onward. The alleged purpose was to ensure that the company was awarded a contract.

Investigators said the evidence gathered so far points to a corruption scheme. The alleged scheme involved the approval of inflated costs. It also involved billing for work that was not performed. The EPPO investigation prevented other potential crimes, and the tender in question was canceled.

According to the Polish press, the CBA estimates that suspected participants received benefits totaling around EUR 637,000. The amount was equivalent to approximately PLN 2.7 million.

Lawmaker immunity request

Separately, on May 5, 2026, the European Chief Prosecutor asked the Sejm to waive a serving lawmaker’s immunity. The Sejm is the lower chamber of Poland’s Parliament. The lawmaker is suspected of influence peddling in the same investigation.

The EPPO said the evidence indicates that financial benefits were allegedly offered to the parliamentarian. It said this happened on several occasions. According to the office, removing the lawmaker’s immunity is necessary to continue the inquiry. It is also necessary to establish all relevant facts. This includes gathering both incriminating evidence and evidence potentially favorable to the person concerned.

Neither the EPPO nor the CBA has officially named the lawmaker. Still, Polish media have reported that the request is believed to involve Civic Coalition MP Wojciech Król.

The EPPO is the European Union’s independent prosecution office. It is authorized to investigate, prosecute, and bring to trial offences affecting the EU’s financial interests.

Poland joined the EPPO in 2024, becoming its 23rd participating member state. In addition, the office investigates fraud involving European funds, corruption, and public procurement fraud. It also investigates other offences that may damage the European Union budget.