During “Operation Hellfire” conducted in late April, Polish authorities detained a former social assistant to a PiS lawmaker as part of a massive crackdown on child sexual exploitation.
Operation Hellfire and Key Detentions
Between April 15 and 26, authorities conducted “Operation Hellfire” to combat the production, possession, and distribution of child sexual exploitation material, resulting in the detention of 123 individuals aged 19 to 94.
RMF FM reporter Krzysztof Zasada unofficially identified a former social assistant to a PiS lawmaker among those detained during the operation.
Criminal Charges and Suspect Claims
The prosecutor has charged the man with offenses carrying a potential 15-year prison sentence, though he has pleaded not guilty. During searches, the suspect reportedly informed police that he “knows influential people.”
Investigators have imposed police supervision and a 100,000 PLN bail while the analysis of seized data carriers continues.
MP Marcin Horała Responds
PiS lawmaker Marcin Horała distanced himself from the case, stating the individual has not been his social assistant for many years and had previously passed state security clearance procedures with positive results.
Horała condemned the “disgusting acts,” called for a thorough investigation, and warned that any attempts to link him to the situation would result in legal action to protect his reputation.
Scope of the Investigation
The operation included 177 searches and the seizure of 1,500 devices, including phones, computers, and hard drives, containing nearly 330,000 video and photo files suspected of containing pedophilic content.
National Prosecutor Przemysław Nowak confirmed that 95 people face charges related to child pornography, with 47 suspects currently under arrest as investigations proceed.
