WARSAW: Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk on Wednesday said the case of a Polish judge with access to classified information who fled to Belarus bears the mark of “high treason”. These latest allegations have escalated tensions between the two countries.
Judge Tomasz Szmydt’s sudden departure to Belarus, announced by the Belarusian authorities on Monday, has raised concerns in Poland, particularly given his access to classified information. Tusk, speaking to reporters on Wednesday, stated that Szmydt’s actions suggest betrayal of national interests and could have made him a valuable asset for foreign intelligence services.
“This is a man whose actions bear the mark of high treason… everything suggests that he could have been a very precious source for foreign services,” Tusk remarked, calling for Szmydt’s immunity from prosecution to be revoked.
The judge’s ties to Belarus are not recent, according to Tusk, indicating a deeper connection beyond the recent months. Szmydt, who was close to Poland’s former governing right-wing Law and Justice (PiS) party, has found himself at the center of a potential espionage investigation since his defection to Belarus.
Szmydt’s judicial responsibilities included cases involving sensitive security information related to organizations such as NATO, the EU, and the European Space Agency. He also had a history of involvement in Polish politics and media appearances, including participation in a program hosted by Russian presenter Vladimir Soloviov, known for his pro-Kremlin stance.
The judge’s departure has prompted Polish authorities to launch an inquiry into possible espionage, with the ABW secret services investigating the extent of classified information to which he had access.
In response to the situation, Tusk called for the establishment of an “effective body” to investigate Russia’s influence on Polish politics, reflecting growing concerns over external interference in national affairs.
Relations between Poland and Belarus have been strained for years, exacerbated by political repression in Belarus and disputes over migrant issues. The recent alignment of Belarus with Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 has further strained diplomatic ties between Warsaw and Minsk, pushing them to new lows.
