The verdict, handed down in the southern city of Kraków on Friday, is a culmination of a trial that begun in October 2023.
The men have also been ordered to pay PLN 30,000 (USD 7,600) each to a fund supporting crime victims and former prisoners.
The judgment is not final, and both the prosecution and the defense may appeal.
The two men, identified as Andrei G. and Alexei T., were arrested in August 2023 by Poland’s Internal Security Agency after distributing hundreds of recruitment stickers in cafés and museums in Kraków and Warsaw.
The stickers contained contact details for those interested in joining the Wagner Group, identified as an illegal mercenary force under international law.
The prosecution accused them of espionage for Russia’s intelligence services and engaging in "hybrid warfare" — a strategy that combines propaganda, cyberattacks and other tactics to destabilize a country.
While the defendants admitted to distributing the stickers, they denied acting as spies or knowingly participating in Wagner Group recruitment.
Their lawyers argued for acquittal, describing their actions as trivial and unintentional.
The court, however, sided with the prosecution, ruling that the men were part of a broader intelligence operation.
Judge Ewa Karp-Sieklucka said that the stickers were designed to serve two purposes: recruiting for the Wagner Group and spreading propaganda to mislead and divide Polish society.
She noted that the men's activities took place shortly before Poland’s Armed Forces Day celebrations, suggesting an attempt to undermine public confidence in the country’s security services.
The judge rejected the defense’s claim that the crime was "insignificant."
"The use of psychological and sociological influence by foreign intelligence services poses a serious threat to national security," she stated. "Such actions can incite social unrest, deepen divisions and ultimately weaken Poland’s stability."
Judge Ewa Karp-Sieklucka. Photo: PAP/Łukasz Gągulski
The court also determined that the men were not acting independently but had received training and support from Russian intelligence.
Judge Karp-Sieklucka pointed out that formal membership in a foreign intelligence agency is not necessary to be considered a spy—connections to such an organization are sufficient.
While the court imposed a prison sentence it deemed "severe enough for deterrence," it also considered mitigating factors, including the short duration of their activity and their expressed remorse.
Prosecutor Tomasz Dudek, who had sought an eight-year sentence, argued that the punishment was too lenient.
"The court acknowledged the high level of social harm and the significant culpability of the defendants," he said. "Given the seriousness of the offense, the sentence should have been harsher."
Defense lawyer Dariusz Tokarczyk, who had pushed for an acquittal, said he would review the written justification before deciding on an appeal.
"We were not asking for a light or harsh sentence — we wanted a fair one," he said.
If the verdict is upheld, the men will serve their sentences in Poland.
Court spokesman Maciej Czajka confirmed that Poland does not currently have diplomatic relations with Russia that would allow for their transfer to a Russian prison, even if such a request were made.
The decision would ultimately rest with Poland’s justice minister.
(rt/gs)
Source: IAR, PAP