The Polish Prime Minister called for a special meeting of the secret services to investigate alleged Russian and Belarusian infiltration after a Polish judge defected to Belarus. The judge, Tomasz Szmydt, had access to classified information and is suspected of acting on behalf of a foreign intelligence service. The government expressed concern over the situation and announced the meeting to discuss the influence of Russian and Belarusian services in the Polish power apparatus. An incident involving bugging devices found in a room where the Polish Cabinet was scheduled to meet added to anxieties in Poland regarding Russia’s activities amid the war in neighboring Ukraine.
Szmydt fled Poland and held a news conference in Minsk, where he claimed he was forced to leave due to disagreements with the current authorities. His defection to Belarus, a state allied with Russia, shocked many in Poland. The judge had previously been involved in an online smear campaign against judges critical of changes made by the right-wing Law and Justice party, which had ruled for eight years. The EU had criticized the party’s changes to the judicial system, saying they eroded democratic separation of powers. Some of Tusk’s opponents accused him of trying to implicate the political opposition in the judge’s actions, while others labeled Szmydt a traitor.
Tusk’s government took power with a promise to restore democratic norms after the rule of the Law and Justice party. The judge’s resignation was seen as a protest against the policy towards Belarus and Russia by the new authorities. The case raised concerns about security issues and the influence of foreign services, especially in the context of the upcoming elections for the European Parliament. Tusk suggested that the hostile actions of foreign countries may be linked to increased activities in connection with the elections. The situation highlighted the ongoing tensions and suspicions surrounding Russian and Belarusian involvement in Poland’s power structure.
The incident has led to heightened security concerns and investigations into potential foreign influence in Poland’s government and institutions. The discovery of bugging devices in a government meeting room added to fears of espionage and interference by external actors. The judge’s defection to Belarus, a country known for its authoritarian regime and close ties to Russia, raised questions about his motivations and ties to foreign intelligence services. The government’s response to the situation reflects a broader effort to address threats to national security and safeguard against foreign infiltration.
The political implications of the judge’s defection have sparked a debate within Poland, with supporters and opponents of the government trading accusations and allegations. The judge’s previous involvement in controversial activities and his resignation in protest against the authorities added to the complexity of the situation. The government’s efforts to investigate and address the issue of foreign interference demonstrate a commitment to protecting the country’s sovereignty and democratic institutions. The outcome of the investigations and the discussions at the special meeting of the secret services will likely shape future relations between Poland and Russia, as well as influence domestic politics in the run-up to the European Parliament elections.
