Poland’s former justice minister, Zbigniew Ziobro, was arrested in connection with the misuse of government funds to deploy spyware against opposition figures. This follows the arrest of Piotr Pogonowski, the former head of Poland’s Internal Security Agency, and is part of a broader investigation into surveillance abuses that took place between 2017 and 2022. The spyware, known as Pegasus, was used to target political opponents, a practice confirmed by documents surfaced by Prime Minister Donald Tusk.
The investigation has sparked outrage, with human rights groups expressing concern over the abuse of government funds for illegal surveillance. The probe reveals that funds intended for crime victims were allegedly misused to monitor political adversaries, including during the 2019 elections. Investigators uncovered “gross violations of constitutional standards” and recommended criminal charges for those responsible.
Ziobro has faced criticism for avoiding hearings into the misuse of Pegasus, citing fears of engaging in illegal activities. His refusal to participate in the investigation further fueled suspicions about his involvement. In addition to Ziobro, several other figures from the previous administration have been implicated in the spyware scandal, intensifying calls for accountability.
The ongoing investigation has garnered praise from human rights groups, who see it as a step toward holding those in power accountable for undermining democracy through surveillance. With several European governments also grappling with their own Pegasus scandals, Poland’s legal efforts to address the issue represent a significant move towards transparency and justice in the region.
