Poland charges citizen with spying for Russia

PHOTO CAPTION: Illustrative photo — Agents from Poland’s Agencja Bezpieczeństwa Wewnętrznego — or Internal Security Agency are seen. (Government of Poland photo)

WARSAW  -  Poland has detained and charged one of its citizens with spying for Russian intelligence services, the State Prosecutor's Office said on Wednesday.

Warsaw says its role as a hub for supplies to Ukraine has made it a target for spies and sabotage from Russia. Moscow has repeatedly dismissed such accusations.

"The prosecutor charged the detained Polish citizen Wiktor Z. with declaring readiness to act for the intelligence of the Russian Federation and conducting activities for its benefit," the State Prosecutor's Office said in a press release.

These included collecting and transmitting information concerning, among other things, the functioning of facilities key to Poland's defence, according to the statement, which did not elaborate.

"The suspect, Wiktor Z., is 28 years old and has higher education. According to the findings, he acted out of ideological motives and pro-Russian beliefs," it added.

Wiktor Z. was detained on June 4 by Poland's Internal Security Agency and could face between eight years and life in prison, according to the press release.

The Russian embassy in Warsaw did not immediately respond to an emailed request for comment.

Warsaw says Moscow has been behind a series of acts of sabotage in Poland, including a huge fire at a Warsaw shopping centre last year, as well as cyberattacks and disinformation campaigns. Moscow has accused Warsaw of 'Russophobia'.

 (Reporting by Karol Badohal; editing by Philippa Fletcher // REUTERS)