Poland Charges Ex-Intel Chiefs Over Alleged Use of Israeli Spyware

Two former Polish intelligence officials have been charged with potential crimes related to their use of Israeli-made Pegasus spyware while in office.

Piotr P, a former head of Poland’s ABW internal security agency, and Maciej Materka, the head of the SKW military counterintelligence service, are facing up to three years in prison if convicted. The National Prosecutors’ Office announced the charges against them on Wednesday, stating that they allegedly failed to obtain the required IT security accreditation for the software.

According to prosecutors, both men used Pegasus despite being aware of the risk of compromising sensitive information, including “secret” or “top-secret” activities. Materka later confirmed his identity in a social media post, while Piotr P denied the allegations and refused to provide explanations during questioning.

Materka stated that it was his duty to provide officers with necessary tools for their work, claiming all operational activities carried out under his leadership were approved by law. He also maintained an “impeccable record” of 24 years in service to Poland.

Other officials in Poland are also facing charges related to the use of Pegasus spyware. Former Justice Minister Zbigniew Ziobro is facing up to 25 years in prison on abuse of power and other charges, including allegedly using funds meant for crime victims to purchase the software.

The Pegasus spy system, developed by NSO Group and licensed to foreign government agencies, is a highly advanced hacking tool that can operate covertly. It has been accused of being used against journalists and activists worldwide, including in Jordan and Serbia.

Source: Al Jazeera