Michał Kuczmierowski, who headed Poland’s Government Strategic Reserve Agency from 2021-2024, was arrested in Britain after Poland issued an international arrest warrant on charges of breaching his official powers while in office for financial gain.

The Westminster Magistrates’ Court’s decision came despite Kuczmierowski’s defense offering to increase the bail from £200,000 to £250,000. The court rejected the offer, citing the seriousness of the charges and the risk of the suspect fleeing the country given that he has few ties with the U.K.

Kuczmierowski will now remain in custody until his extradition hearing, set for February 17-19, 2025.

His detention relates to allegations that when he was head of the agency, he improperly awarded contracts to a clothing company as part of the response of the then Law and Justice government to the Covid pandemic.

The deals were reportedly made without a public tender and involved the supply of various items, including safety gear and power generators.

If convicted, Kuczmierowski could face up to ten years in prison. He has denied the allegations and claimed he would not receive a fair trial in Poland.