Polish authorities have detained and charged a citizen of spying for Russian intelligence, the state prosecutor's office said today, quoted by “Reuters“, BTA reports.
Warsaw says its key role as a logistics hub for supplies to Ukraine makes it a target for espionage and sabotage by Russia. Moscow denies such allegations.
“A prosecutor has charged detained Polish citizen Viktor Z. for expressed willingness to work for the intelligence of the Russian Federation and carry out activities in its interests“, the official statement of the prosecutor's office states.
According to the document, the charges include collecting and transmitting sensitive information related to the functioning of key objects of the national security and defense system of Poland.
Wiktor Z., a 28-year-old with a higher education, acted guided by ideological motives and pro-Russian views, it is clear from the statement.
He was arrested on June 4 by the Polish Internal Security Agency and faces a sentence of between eight years in prison and life imprisonment.
The Russian Embassy in Warsaw did not respond to a request from “Reuters“ for comment on the case.
Warsaw also claims that Moscow is behind a series of sabotage attacks on Polish territory, including a major fire at a shopping mall in Warsaw last year, as well as cyberattacks and disinformation campaigns. Moscow, in turn, accuses Poland of “Russophobia“.