“On the instructions of the National Prosecutor’s Office, officers of the Internal Security Agency (ABW), detained Jarosław A. The prosecutor presented him with a charge of declaring a readiness to act for Russian intelligence”, informed the spokesman for the Minister of the Coordinator of Special Services Stanisław Żaryn.

“Evidence gathered in the case indicates that the suspect intended to provide the Russian side with information concerning defence and state security; he was also ready to perform other tasks”, said the spokesman for the National Prosecutor’s Office, Łukasz Łapczyński.

According to the Polish services, the suspect expected to receive material benefits in return, as well as assistance in eliminating personal enemies.

“Using his connections, he intended to provide the Russian side with a wide range of information, including defence and state security. He was also ready to carry out other tasks ordered by the intelligence service on the territory of the Republic of Poland. The suspect was aware of the illegal nature of the actions he undertook, aimed at establishing long-term cooperation with Russian intelligence”, reported Stanisław Żaryn.

The detention took place on 11 July 2022 in the Silesian province. ABW officers also searched other places in the Opolskie, Łódzkie, Warmińsko-Mazurskie and Małopolskie voivodeships, linked to Jarosław A. and other persons which the detainee intended to use in his work for the Russian intelligence service.

The prosecutor charged Jarosław A. with Article 130 § 3 of the Criminal Code, i.e. reporting readiness to act for foreign intelligence against the Republic of Poland. The suspect admitted to the alleged act and gave extensive explanations. On the motion of the prosecution, the District Court in Warsaw arrested him for a period of 3 months. The man faces a penalty of up to eight years imprisonment.

Arkadiusz Słomczyński