General Jarosław Stróżyk, head of the commission for investigating Russian and Belarusian influence, said that “the thesis that the president’s entourage is hiding information regarding the activities of the Minister of Defense in 2015-2018”, i.e. Antoni Macierewicz, is justified. The commission recommended “transferring the collected materials to the prosecutor’s office for the purpose of conducting a legal and criminal assessment in terms of the possibility of committing the crime of diplomatic betrayal by Macierewicz.”
General Jarosław Stróżyk, head of the Military Counterintelligence Service and chairman of the commission for investigating Russian and Belarusian influence, presented the effects of the commission’s work at a conference on Wednesday.
He said that the committee’s work so far involved “analysis of thousands of pages”, sending “several hundred questions” to ministries and other institutions and reading almost two thousand answers. – For obvious reasons, the analysis of some of these documents is still ongoing – he said.
– In July this year, during a business meeting, I was encouraged by a very high-level official close to the president (Andrzej Duda – ed.) to send a letter from the president’s commission because, and I quote: “the president will be happy to share information about modernization omissions.” at the Ministry of National Defense by Minister (Antoni – ed.) Macierewicz,” said Stróżyk.
– I regret to say that despite the letter from the committee, we received a negative answer that there is no such information. Therefore, the thesis that the president’s entourage – because I do not suspect the president himself – is hiding information from the commission regarding the activities of the Minister of National Defense in 2015-2018 may be justified – he added.
Four main conclusions from the report
The four main conclusions presented by Stróżyk are:
1. Diplomatic treason,
2. Poland’s financing of Russian influence in the USA,
3. Destroying the potential of Polish secret services,
4. Failure of the Polish government to prepare for the consequences of Russia’s aggression against Ukraine in 2022.
Jarosław StróżykTVN24
Stróżyk on Macierewicz’s “diplomatic betrayal”.
As Stróżyk said, the commission found that Macierewicz, as the head of the Ministry of National Defense, made an “out of order” decision to withdraw the Polish armed forces from participating in the international program for the purchase of aerial refueling aircraft.
– It was an arbitrary, baseless, thoughtless, short-sighted, unjustified and ill-considered decision, surprising for the General Staff and other units, probably dictated largely by personal reluctance towards partners from the European Union – said the head of the commission.
– As a result, we lost not only several million zlotys in contributions, but also the possibility of stationing such planes in Poland in Powidz. Today, the program is a great success, and the fleet of 10 tankers is stationed in Cologne, Germany, and not in Powidz, Poland, he added.
The commission recommended “transferring the collected materials to the prosecutor’s office in order to carry out a legal and criminal assessment in terms of the possibility of committing a crime by Antoni Macierewicz under Article 129 of the Penal Code, i.e. diplomatic treason.”
Stróżyk about Macierewicz’s “diplomatic betrayal”TVN24
Poland’s financing of Russian influence in the USA
Stróżyk explained that in 2016 “there was an increase in the conclusion of contracts with entities providing services representing Poland in the United States.” – At least several million zlotys were spent on this – he said.
In this context, he mentioned three entities that provided such services. – Potomac Square Group. In 2018, with one click, one would learn that this entity was mentioned in the US Congress report on Russian persons and companies that influenced the legislative process in the United States – the Magnitsky Act – he said.
– An interesting case is the rental of Park Strategies by Polska Grupa Zbrojeniowa in 2016. This is the company of Alfonse D’Amato, a former US senator. He was one of several senators in the late 1990s who was an open opponent of Poland’s entry into NATO. If he was supposed to represent Polish interests in the USA, I will leave it without comment – added Stróżyk.
– The entity that was financially supplied for the longest time (by Poland – ed.) was BGR Group. This company is already a conglomerate of activities for the benefit of the Russian Federation – for Alfabank, for Gazprom companies, representing the former president of the bank in Moscow – the general enumerated.
He noted that despite the Polish government spending money, “there are no traces of any of these organizations working for Poland.” – Probably because they were busy working for Russia – said Stróżyk.
Destroying the potential of secret services
At this point, Stróżyk pointed to the decision to liquidate 10 out of 15 ABW branch offices in June 2017. The decision in this matter was made “ad hoc” and led to “huge staff losses.”
– Currently, since the beginning of the year, ABW has been reversing this process, but it will certainly not be an easy matter to rebuild these numbers – he added.
“No reaction” to information about planned aggression
– Another element is the government’s reaction to information about Russia’s planned aggression against Ukraine. If I had to speak freely, I would say that there was a lack of reaction. The documents collected by the committee did not identify any materials proving significant actions taken by the government aimed at preparing Poland for challenges that could be associated with Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, he said.
– We know from media sources that the first American warnings were already issued in November 2021. We found no trace of discussion in security bodies on this topic. The first trace is February 24, 2022 – said Stróżyk.
Stróżyk: we owe you an annual report in March, but maybe there will be more
– In the event of dynamic development of the commission’s work, I do not rule out the presentation of partial reports on one topic in January 2025 – he noted.
Source of main photo: TVN24
Whispers of Betrayal: The Stróżyk Report Unveiled
In a twist befitting a political thriller, General Jarosław Stróżyk—head of the commission for investigating Russian and Belarusian influence—has dropped a bombshell, claiming that the president’s inner circle might be playing a little game of hide and seek with the activities of former Minister of Defense Antoni Macierewicz. What could possibly go wrong?
The Investigation: A Comedy of Errors
Imagine the bureaucratic ballet involved in gathering evidence: “Thousands of pages analyzed,” the General says, “hundreds of questions sent.” Sorting through two thousand answers must feel a bit like doing your taxes—except, rather than crying into your receipts, you’re instead contemplating diplomatic betrayal. And let’s not skip over that rather awkward moment when Stróżyk notes that “the president will be happy to share information,” only to receive a resounding “no” in response. Ouch! If this were a comedy show, you’d hear the collective gasp from the audience.
Four Conclusions That Pack a Punch
Drumroll, please! Here come the four riveting conclusions from the report, and believe me—they’re juicier than a gossip column:
- Diplomatic treason,
- Poland’s dubious financing of Russian influence in the USA,
- Undermining the capabilities of Polish secret services,
- A national fiasco over the response to Russian aggression against Ukraine in 2022.
Dirty Laundry: Macierewicz’s Missteps
Now, let’s get into the heavy stuff—Macierewicz! The General didn’t mince words, describing a decision that saw Poland pulling out of an international program for aerial refueling aircraft as “arbitrary, baseless, thoughtless.” If he were at a dinner party, you could almost hear the chairs scraping against the floor from the abrupt attention. Apparently, Macierewicz’s decision not only threw cash down the drain but also left Poland without those lovely tankers, now holed up in Germany. Classy move, really.
Show Me the Money: A Shady Affair
Stróżyk’s findings on financing Russian influence in the USA reads like a Netflix documentary—full of questionable contracts and mysterious affiliations. Millions spent, yet nothing to show for it! You have to wonder if someone was swayed by the glitzy appeal of a fortune cookie with a Russian twist. Alleged ties to entities that influenced Congressional decisions, including the infamous Magnitsky Act, make you wonder if Poland wished upon the wrong star with these contracts! “Representing Polish interests” by hiring people who opposed our entry into NATO? Sounds like a screenplay gone wrong!
The Dismantling of Polish Intelligence
Stróżyk took the stage to discuss the dismantling of intelligence capabilities that would make any spy novel blush. Liquidating branch offices? That’s like choosing to close your eyes and assume that bad guys will just go away. As the saying goes, “When in doubt, throw caution to the wind.” Several million zlotys might as well have been tossed off a cliff for all the good they did!
Astonishing Complacency Towards Russian Moves
If you’re expecting a suspenseful thriller plot twist, how about the government’s reaction—or rather, lack thereof—to Russian aggression? Stróżyk’s revelations about missed warnings that started flowing from American intelligence are shockingly reminiscent of someone refrigerating their emergency plan. Spoiler alert: It didn’t work! No one could find any trace of a well-prepared security discussion around that time. So, when the proverbial storm came knocking, it’s safe to say Poland wasn’t exactly ready for a rainy day.
What’s Next? Will We See More Drama?
Stróżyk tantalized us with promises of more reports later on, perhaps in January 2025—because who doesn’t love a little cliffhanger to spice up the political drama? One can’t help but feel that next season’s plot might just be a bit more explosive than a summer blockbuster.
The report delves into a regrettable chapter for Polish secret services, where Stróżyk highlighted the drastic decision to close almost two-thirds of ABW branch offices in 2017. This rash measure led to significant staff losses and diminished operational capability. The current efforts to rebuild these capabilities face an uphill battle, as recovering lost resources is never a simple task. The ramifications of this bureaucratic blunder echo through the corridors of Poland’s defense and intelligence communities, raising eyebrows about preparedness and vigilance.
Ignoring the Storm: A Missed Alarm
Perhaps the most alarming aspect of Stróżyk’s findings relates to the response—or lack thereof—to Russia’s aggressive posturing towards Ukraine. Despite early American warnings in late 2021, the Polish government was largely unresponsive, as evidenced by scant documentation of proactive measures. Stróżyk pointedly remarked that the first significant response only came after the invasion on February 24, 2022, underscoring a failure to anticipate or prepare for the looming threat. This complacency could cost Poland dearly, leading observers to wonder whether the nation’s leaders were caught napping while a storm brewed on the horizon.
Looking Ahead: Shadowy Suspicion or Light of Accountability?
As the dust settles and the investigation unfolds further, Stróżyk hinted at the potential for more revelations. An annual report is expected in March, but if the commission’s work escalates, partial reports may surface as early as January 2025. One can only speculate about what other hidden truths might emerge from the shadows—will more political figures be implicated? Are we prepared for the possibility of deepening controversies as new information surfaces?