Five people were arrested on 25‑26 November 2025 in Lublin for alleged espionage against Poland on behalf of a foreign intelligence service.
Arrests and Charges
Officials from the Internal Security Agency (ABW) and the Police, under the supervision of the Lublin Local Division of the Department of Organized Crime and Corruption, detained five suspects suspected of working for foreign intelligence against the Republic of Poland. They were charged with espionage under Article 130 §1 of the criminal code, punishable by 5 to 30 years in prison.
Suspects’ Nationalities and Identities
The detainees were: two Ukrainian citizens – Oleksandra S. and the minor Sofía Ch.; three Belarusian citizens – Viktoriya M., Anton M. and Uladzimir U.
Investigation and Legal Proceedings
During the investigation, the prosecutor presented the charges for activities in 2024 on behalf of foreign intelligence. The suspects allegedly lobbied via the Telegram messenger, completed and transmitted photographic documentation of critical infrastructure sites, and were paid in cryptocurrency. After the indictment, the prosecutor interrogated them.
Preventive Measures and Custody
For Viktoriya M., Oleksandra S., and Anton M., the Lublin‑West District Court ordered a three‑month preventive detention. For minor Sofía Ch., the court, at the prosecutor’s request, placed her in a juvenile shelter for three months. Due to poor health, Uladzimir U. was granted a non‑isolation preventive measure, prohibiting him from leaving the country.
Scope of Investigation
The inquiry covered activities from March 2024 to February 2025 in Rzeszów, Warsaw, Łódź and other towns, involving persons of various nationalities recruited through internet messengers. The conduct included photographing critical infrastructure, hanging posters, and graffiti.
