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Polish court rules to arrest politician suspected of spying for Russia

Mateusz Piskorski is a Polish political analyst advocating for restoration of good relations with Russia and the leader of Zmiana (Change) political party

© ITAR-TASS/Yuri Smityuk/archive

WARSAW, May 20. /TASS/. A Warsaw court ruled on Friday to arrest for three months Mateusz Piskorski, a Polish political analyst advocating for restoration of good relations with Russia and the leader of Zmiana (Change) political party, who had been detained by Poland’s Internal Security Agency, Piskorski’s lawyer told TASS after six hours’ hearing on Friday.

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"I cannot leak any details," he said, noting the ruling might be appealed and defense would probably use that opportunity.

Piskorski and his three lawyers attended the closed hearing. Relatives, journalists and Zmiana representatives were denied access to the court hall. No details of the trial were disclosed.

The Polish political activist was detained on Wednesday, May 18 on suspicion of spying for a third state. Local media outlets reported his spying for Russia or China.

Simultaneously with Piskorski’s detention, the party’s headquarters and the homes of party member were raided. Some party members were questioned.

The party refuted any allegations about either Zmiana’s or Piskorski’s contacts with foreign intelligence services, claiming the developments to be politically motivated and linked to the NATO summit due to be held in Warsaw on July 8-9 as the party persistently stood up against Poland’s membership in the alliance.

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