Polish defector judge faces espionage charges

The National Prosecutor’s Office has petitioned the disciplinary court of the Supreme Administrative Court to revoke the immunity of Judge Szmydt and authorize his arrest on charges of espionage, officials have said.

Photo:

twitter.com/Szmydt_Tomasz

The case catapulted into the spotlight following Judge Tomasz Szmydt's dramatic defection to Belarus earlier this week.

“In a significant development, the National Prosecutor’s Office has just submitted a request to the disciplinary court of the NSA for a resolution authorizing the prosecution of Judge Tomasz Szmydt for criminal responsibility,” Polish Justice Minister Adam Bodnar announced on X.

“The National Prosecutor’s Office also requests permission for detention and temporary arrest. Charge: espionage,” Bodnar added.

Prokuratura Krajowa @PK_GOV_PL złożyła właśnie wniosek do sądu dyscyplinarnego NSA o wydanie uchwały zezwalającej na pociągnięcie sędziego Tomasza Szmydta do odpowiedzialności karnej. PK wnosi również o zezwolenie na zatrzymanie i tymczasowe aresztowanie. Zarzut: szpiegostwo.

— Adam Bodnar (@Adbodnar) May 8, 2024

The National Prosecutor’s Office had previously announced that an investigation has been launched into Szmydt’s suspected involvement in activities associated with a foreign intelligence service operating within Poland and Belarus.

Tomasz Szmydt, a judge at the Provincial Administrative Court in Warsaw, stunned the nation by seeking “protection and asylum” from Belarusian authorities in Minsk earlier this week. In his plea, Szmydt cited disillusionment with the actions of Polish authorities and claimed persecution and threats due to his purportedly “independent political stance.”

Szmydt presided over cases at the WSA in Warsaw, including those involving the refusal to issue security clearances for access to classified information.

(jh)

Source: PAP