Poland’s head of the National Security Bureau, Sławomir Cenckiewicz, is calling for the dismissal of the head of military counterintelligence following a court decision regarding his security clearance.
NSA Ruling Reinstates Cenckiewicz’s Security Clearance
Wednesday’s ruling by the Supreme Administrative Court regarding the revocation of security clearance for National Security Bureau (BBN) head Sławomir Cenckiewicz triggered an immediate political reaction. Cenckiewicz considered the decision a complete victory and demanded the resignation of General Jarosław Stróżyk, head of the Military Counterintelligence Service (SKW).
Government officials simultaneously emphasized that the NSA ruling does not automatically restore access to classified information.
Background of the Case
The case originated in July 2024, when General Jarosław Stróżyk, as head of SKW, decided to revoke Cenckiewicz’s clearance. This decision was subsequently upheld by the Prime Minister’s Office. In November 2024, Cenckiewicz appealed to the administrative court, which ruled in his favor. The NSA has now upheld that ruling, concluding the legal dispute.
Cenckiewicz Declares “Ultimate Defeat of Lawlessness”
In a published statement, Sławomir Cenckiewicz declared the ruling a definitive confirmation that the decision to revoke his access to classified information was unlawful. He stressed that he never lost his clearance in a procedurally correct manner.
“My victory before the NSA is the ultimate confirmation that the actions taken against me in July 2024 constituted a blatant violation of the law,” he wrote, asserting that the actions of SKW and related political decisions were coordinated and targeted at him personally.
Allegations of Political Interference
Cenckiewicz accused state institutions of using the apparatus of the state for political warfare, pointing to the actions of special services, the prosecutor’s office, and what he described as a system of media leaks and public stigmatization.
Call for Stróżyk’s Resignation
The most forceful element of the statement was the call for the immediate resignation of General Jarosław Stróżyk from his position as head of SKW, whom Cenckiewicz holds responsible for the court-invalidated decision.
“For the good of state security and the functioning of special services, Jarosław Stróżyk should no longer head the SKW,” he stated, also accusing him of politicizing military counterintelligence and destabilizing the functioning of the National Security Bureau.
Impact on Presidential Institutions
Cenckiewicz further claimed that SKW’s actions affected not only his personal situation but also the functioning of presidential institutions, and alleged attempts to manipulate information regarding data leaks.
Government Response: No Automatic Reinstatement
The government offered a different interpretation of the ruling. Jacek Dobrzyński, a spokesman for the Minister Coordinating Special Services, emphasized that the NSA ruling does not automatically restore Cenckiewicz’s access to classified information.
He explained that overturning the cassation complaints only necessitates a renewed verification procedure by SKW, taking into account the court’s guidance. This procedure is of a control nature and must consider the current state of affairs.
Dobrzyński stressed that interpreting the ruling as a full restoration of clearance is unjustified, asserting that the process of assessing credibility and the ability to maintain state secrets remains open.
Criminal Charges and Their Relevance
A significant element of the dispute remains the criminal proceedings against Sławomir Cenckiewicz. In August 2024, an indictment was filed concerning the disclosure of information constituting state secrets, relating to the declassification of fragments of the “Warta” operational plan in 2023, when Cenckiewicz headed the Military History Bureau.
According to regulations, anyone applying for access to classified information must provide assurances of maintaining secrecy. The spokesman for the services emphasized that the mere fact of the charges and the circumstances of the case are relevant to assessing this prerequisite.
The crime for which the head of the BBN is accused carries a penalty of up to 10 years imprisonment, meaning the outcome of the criminal proceedings could directly impact decisions regarding his access to state secrets.
