Polish authorities have detained a Belarusian agent suspected of espionage as part of a joint operation with Czech, Romanian, Hungarian, and Moldovan intelligence agencies.
Belarusian Agent Apprehended
The Security Agency (ABW) apprehended a citizen of Belarus suspected of espionage. According to Tomasz Siemoniak, on Monday (September 8th) officers of the Internal Security Agency detained a Belarusian national named Uladzislau N. The operation was a result of a long-term operation conducted by the Polish Internal Security Agency in collaboration with the Czech (BIS), Hungarian (AH), Romanian (SRI), and Moldovan (SIS) intelligence services, aimed at counteracting aggressive actions taken by Belarusian special services.
Charges Filed
The next day, on Tuesday (September 9th), a prosecutor from the Mazovian Branch of the National Public Prosecutor’s Office in Warsaw charged Uladzislau N. with the crime of espionage under Article 130 paragraph 1 of the Polish criminal code. Siemoniak stated that the accused was engaged in espionage activities in both Poland and Hungary.
International Cooperation Highlighted
The investigation is a result of strict cooperation between the special services of Poland, Hungary, Romania, the Czech Republic, and Moldova. The situation demonstrates the importance and wisdom of international cooperation between European special services in combating intelligence threats from Belarusian special services.
Expulsion of Belarusian Diplomat
In response to the arrest, both Donald Tusk and Tomasz Siemoniak announced that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs would expel a Belarusian diplomat who had been supporting aggressive actions taken by Belarusian services against Poland.