The Polish parliamentary committee investigating Pegasus surveillance system prepares criminal referrals against former ministers.
Notices against former ministers
TVP Info reports that the notices concern Mariusz Kamiński and Maciej Wąsik. According to the committee’s findings, they are believed to have been the initiators of the purchase of the Pegasus system and coordinated actions related to its use. This concerns political opponents and judges.
“Pegasus was a weapon. A weapon that should be used against terrorists, whereas in Poland this system was undoubtedly used politically,” said committee chair Magdalena Sroka in an interview with Polish Television.
The committee has interviewed more than 100 witnesses and collected extensive evidence. Some testimonies took place in closed session. Tomasz Trela stated that the committee has “hard evidence,” but it cannot be disclosed as it has a secrecy clause.
Kamiński and Wąsik did not appear at committee meetings. They are protected by their European Parliament immunity. After filing the notices, the Prosecutor General may apply to the European Parliament to lift it.
The case of Bogdan Święczkowski
The committee also announces a notice regarding Bogdan Święczkowski, who headed the National Prosecutor’s Office during the use of Pegasus.
According to findings, materials from the surveillance of the then-opposition were also illegally passed to him. According to politicians from the committee, the closed session part was crucial. According to TVP Info, witnesses were supposed to “crack and incriminate PiS politicians.”
Further charges in the Pegasus case
So far, the committee has sent several notices to the prosecutor’s office. Charges have already been brought, among others, against Michał Woś and former CBA head Ernest B.
The prosecutor’s office has also brought charges against other former service chiefs. Former Deputy Minister Michał Woś does not plead guilty. He is said to have transferred 25 million zł from the Justice Fund to purchase the Pegasus system.
The full committee report – including the classified part – is to be presented to the Sejm in March.