Allegations that the Pegasus spyware was used to eavesdrop on Donald Tusk’s wife and daughter have ignited intense political backlash in Poland, prompting sharp denials from the ruling party and former intelligence officials.
Pegasus Allegations Spark Social Media Storm
The claim that Pegasus was deployed against Donald Tusk’s wife and daughter has ignited a wave of criticism across Polish social media. Radosław Sikorski threatened, “Why did they have Pegasus? To covertly listen to the premier in a case against Roman Giertych.”
Opposition Criticises Alleged Targeting of Tusk Family
Witold Zembaczyński of the Civic Platform (KO) decried the usage, calling the “Pisowskie kanale” and stating “Watergate of the Pegasus affair is a small tragedy.” He linked the alleged surveillance to a broader political plot against Prime Minister Roman Giertych. Krzysztof Brejza argued that the “invasion of the family—first by court, then prison, and finally the garbage bin of history—was a brutal, soulless, and gratuitous violation.”
Polish Officials Deny Allegations
Jarosław Kaczyński dismissed the claims as nonsense, citing that “no court or prison was involved.” Zbigniew Ziobro replied that “Tusk’s continued lies are unsurprising, but the notion that his family heard from Pegasus‑controlled services is false.” He maintained that Pegasus is a legitimate tool used by France, Spain, and the Netherlands.
Statements from Police and Intelligence Oversight
Former CBA head Mariusz Kamiński and deputy Maciej Wąsik reiterated that “no Polish service conducted operational checks on Tusk’s family.” Wąsik added, “Tusk can lie like a song.” In a separate TVP interview, Minister Tomasz Siemoniak noted that “the conversations of the premier’s partner were intercepted because they involved someone under Pegasus control,” but did not confirm family surveillance.
Implications of Pegasus Use
Siemoniak urged that the alleged surveillance “shows how PiS may have exploited auxiliary powers for political revenge.” He accused the ruling party of turning legal instruments into weapons against its opponents.
Were Tusk’s Family Targeted?
The final question remains unresolved: whether the Pegasus spyware was indeed used to eavesdrop on Donald Tusk’s daughter and wife.
