Former Polish spy chief claims full verification of Włodzimierz Czarzasty’s ties to Russian businesswoman is impossible given his current access to state secrets.
Gazeta Polska’s Report on Czarzasty
“Gazeta Polska” reported at the end of January that Sejm Marshal Włodzimierz Czarzasty had not undergone a check by the ABW while serving on the parliamentary special services commission. The report suggested that if he had, the services would have had to investigate his and his wife’s relations with a Russian woman trading in artworks, employed by an auction house linked to Russia’s largest Kremlin-controlled bank.
The article noted the Russian woman also holds shares in a hotel company where Małgorzata Czarzasty is vice president, and both she and Włodzimierz Czarzasty are shareholders in the majority stakeholder of this entity. The Russian, who also holds a Polish passport, co-authored books published by the Muza publishing house (formerly managed by Czarzasty).
Czarzasty Dismisses the Matter
Se Marshal Włodzimierz Czarzasty, protected against counter-espionage by Polish special services and possessing access to information with the highest security classification, stated, “It has been established that there is nothing inappropriate in my contacts; I consider this matter concluded.” Special services have no reservations in this area and strictly comply with applicable regulations.
The opposition, however, points out that Czarzasty gained access to classified information automatically as Marshal, and previously as an MP, he refused to complete a security questionnaire.
New Details About the Russian Businesswoman
“Rzeczpospolita” highlights that the auction house employing the Russian citizen also sells assets of the Russian Federation, possibly including those belonging to the FSB. Calls are being made to consider adding her to the sanctions list. Former Deputy Minister for Special Coordination under the PiS government, Stanisław Żaryn, commented, “There is clearly a suspicion that we are dealing with a person operating in institutions linked to the Russian state.”
Żaryn added, “The structure of ownership of the company belonging to the Russian woman and financial flows must certainly be investigated. Only on the basis of such analytical intelligence is a decision made to place a person or entity on the sanctions list, allowing freezing assets or appointing a curator.” The MSWiA refused to comment on whether the ABW head had requested her inclusion on such a list.
Former Spy Chief: Verification Impossible
Former Head of the Military Counterintelligence Service, General Maciej Materka, stated in an interview with “Rz” that since Włodzimierz Czarzasty already accesses secret information as Marshal, “his full and thorough verification under the Classified Information Protection Act is impossible.” He explained that the investigation must rely on counter-espionage protection, which has limited capabilities to examine the Marshal’s environment – individuals and businesses linked to the controversial Russian woman. It does not provide as comprehensive information as a security questionnaire and a properly conducted vetting procedure.
