Poland’s ABW investigates alleged Russian espionage

Poland’s ABW investigates alleged Russian espionage

The latest actions stem from a January investigation where a Polish man was indicted for spying for Russian special services.

The ABW operation in Warsaw and Tychy was coordinated with other countries, in particular with partners from the Czech Republic. (Task Force Wolf/Facebook pic)
WARSAW:
Poland’s Internal Security Agency (ABW) has carried out searches as part of an investigation with other European security services into alleged Russian espionage, it said today.

A hub for Western military supplies to Ukraine as it fights Russia’s invasion, Poland says it has become a major target of Russian spies. It accuses Moscow and its ally Belarus of trying to destabilise it.

“Actions aimed at organising pro-Russian initiatives and media campaigns in EU countries have been documented,” ABW said in a statement, mentioning the website voice-of-europe.eu which it says published pro-Russian material.

Searches were made in Warsaw and Tychy in western Poland on Tuesday, it said, without giving more specific details.

The operation was coordinated with other countries, in particular with partners from the Czech Republic, it said.

Dutch prime minister Mark Rutte called reports of pro-Russian attempts to influence EU politicians today worrying and said the Netherlands would “do what is necessary.”

“This shows how great the risk of foreign influence is,” Rutte told journalists in The Hague. “It’s a threat to our democracy, to our free elections, to our freedom of speech, to everything.”

A Dutch member of parliament known for making pro-Russian statements was named in Czech media reports.

Yesterday, the Czech government sanctioned two people including pro-Russian Ukrainian politician Viktor Medvedchuk and the news website voiceofeurope.com, for what it said was leading a pro-Russian influence operation in Europe.

The ABW’s latest actions stemmed from an investigation completed in January this year in which a Polish citizen suspected of spying for Russian special services was indicted.

“The man, who was placed among Polish and European parliamentarians, performed tasks commissioned and financed by collaborators of Russian intelligence, which included propaganda, disinformation, and political provocations,” it said.

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