Polish Olympic chief charged in Zondacrypto probe as prosecutors seek detention

Piesiewicz denies the allegations. The charges are part of a broader investigation into Zondacrypto, which Polish authorities opened in April over suspected fraud and money laundering after customers reported losing access to funds.

What prosecutors allege

The charges cited by the prosecutor general are article 230, concerning paid influence, and article 302, concerning the satisfaction of creditors to the detriment of others when insolvency is threatened. Bankier's account says Piesiewicz did not admit to the charges and that prosecutors sought detention for three months.

The case follows reporting that Zondacrypto chief Przemysław Kral gave Piesiewicz a Patek Philippe watch valued at about €40,000 and other benefits in connection with the exchange's regulatory problems. Piesiewicz has said he paid for the watch himself in installments; that allegation remains part of the investigation, not an established finding.

The exchange's customer losses

Authorities say the wider Zondacrypto investigation concerns suspected fraud and money laundering, with estimated customer losses of at least 350 million Polish zlotys. Earlier reporting said prosecutors had secured more than 100 million zlotys for potential compensation, but those figures do not establish how much customers will recover.

The latest independent account from CoinDesk records the arrest and the absence of charges at that earlier stage. The material development now is the formal charging decision and detention request; it does not amount to a conviction.