Poland’s Minister Coordinator of Special Services, Tomasz Siemoniak, stated that individuals involved in a breach of security at a National Security Council meeting should be investigated.
State Secrets and Accountability
Minister Siemoniak emphasized the importance of protecting state secrets, stating that attempts to downplay security breaches are unacceptable. He was responding to questions about a report submitted by the Internal Security Agency (ABW) to prosecutors regarding unauthorized participation in a National Security Council (RBN) meeting.
Siemoniak noted that while the ABW does not issue verdicts, the individuals in question – specifically, the Head of the Presidential National Security Bureau, Sławomir Cenckiewicz, and the Head of the Presidential Chancellery, Zbigniew Bogucki – should not expect to avoid scrutiny.
Unauthorized Access and Protocol
Siemoniak explained that the appropriate response to unauthorized individuals at sensitive meetings is not to simply leave, but to withhold classified information. He pointed out that Cenckiewicz was absent from other classified meetings within the Presidential Chancellery, including the initial National Security Council session and a meeting between Karol Nawrocki and intelligence chiefs on January 15th.
He further stated that Cenckiewicz does not receive classified documents because it is “well known that he does not have access.”
Universal Security Standards
The minister stressed that the principle of restricted access to classified information applies universally, regardless of whether it involves the Presidential Chancellery or a local police station. Any unauthorized access must be investigated and addressed.
Siemoniak warned that failing to prioritize security could have serious consequences for Poland’s international standing, particularly within NATO.
ABW Authority and Past Practices
Siemoniak asserted that the ABW has the sole authority to grant security clearances. He rejected any claims of self-authorization or reliance on superiors’ opinions, stating that the ABW’s decision is final.
He added that the same procedures were in place during the previous PiS government.
Report to Prosecutors and Initial Investigation
On Wednesday, Jacek Dobrzyński, the spokesperson for the Minister Coordinator of Special Services, announced that a report had been filed with the National Prosecutor’s Office regarding the potential crime of allowing an individual without proper clearance to attend a National Security Council meeting.
Following a February RBN meeting, Siemoniak announced an ABW investigation into Cenckiewicz’s participation, citing the ongoing administrative court proceedings that prevent him from being granted access to classified information.
Presidential Chancellery’s Response
In mid-February, the Presidential Chancellery defended the one-time access granted to Cenckiewicz, arguing that it was legally permissible under the Head of the Chancellery’s authority. The Prosecutor General’s Office (KPRP) concurred with this assessment.
Delays in Officer Nominations
Siemoniak also expressed concern over President Andrzej Duda’s delay in signing nominations for first-rank officers in the special services, which has halted officer training. He stated that the nominations were resubmitted to the President in January after an initial rejection in November 2023.
Report on Marshal Czarzasty
Regarding a report from the ABW concerning Marshal of the Sejm Włodzimierz Czarzasty’s contacts, Siemoniak stated that the document was delivered to the President on February 25th.
While acknowledging the report’s contents, Siemoniak refrained from making definitive judgments, stating that the situation had been fully clarified and did not raise any concerns among the security services.
Political Motivations and Verification
Siemoniak dismissed accusations against Czarzasty as politically motivated, suggesting that the President’s spokesperson would have issued a statement questioning the report’s findings if there were legitimate concerns.
However, Rafał Leśkiewicz, the President’s spokesperson, stated that the ABW document regarding Czarzasty’s “questionable social and business ties with citizens of the Russian Federation” raised further questions and called for Czarzasty to complete a verification questionnaire.