Former minister of defence and deputy Prime Minister Mariusz Blaszczak have been charged after leaking government plans in the case of a Russian invasion.
ADVERTISEMENTPoland’s former defence minister has been charged by prosecutors after publishing government contingency plans in the case of a Russian invasion.
Mariusz Blaszczak, who served in the conservative Law and Justice party that held power between 2015 and 2023, revealed in 2023 a military defence plan that had been drawn up in 2011 in the case of a Russian invasion.
That document laid out plans for Polish forces to retreat westward to the Vistula River in the case of an attack from the east.
Prosecutors allege Blaszczak exceeded his powers by publishing the information, which they say was classified.
Blaszczak was read the charges by Polish prosecutors in Warsaw on Friday, but told reporters he believed the allegations were unfounded.
He wrote on X that the prosecutor’s office was to “bring charges against me for declassifying the plan of the first Tusk government to give up half of Poland without a fight.”
“I would do it again without hesitation. I had not only the right, but also the duty,” he said.
Speaking to reporters, Blaszczak said he would explain to the prosecutor that he had an obligation to reveal the information.
The charges against Blaszcak are the latest in a string of legal troubles for members of the Law and Justice.
Former MP Dariusz Matecki was arrested last week on corruption charges and former deputy justice minister Marcin Romanowski was granted political asylum in Hungary after being accused of defrauding the state.
