Brigadier General Andrzej Kowalski will succeed Sławomir Cenckiewicz as head of Poland’s National Security Bureau (BBN), effective immediately.
Andrzej Kowalski Appointed to Lead BBN
Sławomir Cenckiewicz’s duties at the BBN will be taken over by his current deputy, Brigadier General Andrzej Kowalski. Kowalski began his career in the security services in 1994.
Kowalski served in counterintelligence at the Office for State Protection and the Internal Security Agency.
Kowalski’s Extensive Security Service Background
General Andrzej Kowalski previously served as the head of the Military Intelligence Service.
In 2006, Kowalski co-created new structures for military counterintelligence, replacing the Military Information Services. He served as acting head of the Military Counterintelligence Service in 2007. From 2015 to 2020, he led the Military Intelligence Service. He also collaborated with the Smolensk sub-commission led by Antoni Macierewicz, and was described in media reports as a trusted associate of Macierewicz.
Educational Background and Publications
Andrzej Kowalski is a graduate of the Faculty of Pedagogy at the University of Warsaw. After his studies, he co-founded the School and Educational Center in Konstancin-Jeziorna.
He has also published dozens of articles on state security and special services, and conducted training for new personnel.
Cenckiewicz to Support Czarnak
Sławomir Cenckiewicz will support Przemysław Czarnak.
Cenckiewicz announced his resignation from the BBN “due to the unlawful actions of Donald Tusk’s government, which does not respect valid court rulings.” He believes the government is “unjustifiably depriving him of the right to access classified information.”
Cenckiewicz’s Criticism of the Current Government
“As I leave my ministerial position, I want only to free the Office of the President of the Republic of Poland from the constant pressure and interference, which – as a public enemy of the Tusk, Sikorski and Kosiniak-Kamysz government – I have been and am the cause of,” Cenckiewicz wrote on X on April 23rd. He also informed that he will support PiS candidate for prime minister Przemysław Czarnak.
“In my new role, I will more strongly hold the current anti-state vandalism of the government accountable, doing everything to ensure that Professor Przemysław Czarnak’s mission is successful. I have the knowledge and experience gained from the offices I have held and the 2024/2025 election campaign, which I want to pass on to Professor Czarnak as a candidate for Prime Minister of the Republic of Poland. The success of this difficult mission is our raison d’état!” he emphasized.
Security Clearance Decisions Regarding Cenckiewicz
In July 2024, the Military Counterintelligence Service revoked Cenckiewicz’s security clearances allowing access to classified information. Cenckiewicz filed a complaint, and on June 17th of last year, the Administrative Court in Warsaw overturned the decisions of the SKW. On August 5th, the Prime Minister’s Office filed cassation appeals with the Supreme Administrative Court against the rulings of the WSA. On April 15th, the Supreme Administrative Court dismissed those appeals.
Edited by Kamila Cieślik