Poland charges 16 foreigners with spying for Russia

By Ahmet Gencturk

ATHENS (AA) - Poland charged 16 Eastern European nationals with spying for Russia, local media reported Wednesday.

The suspects conducted espionage and propaganda activities, and prepared acts of sabotage for Russia's security services, public broadcaster Radio Poland reported, citing Poland's Internal Security Agency (ABW).

Prosecutors claimed that the suspects conducted reconnaissance and surveillance of critical infrastructure, including seaports and military facilities across the country, including in Warsaw, Rzeszow and Przemysl.

The suspects have been charged with "acting on behalf of a foreign intelligence service against the interests of Poland," and face prison time of up to 10 years, according to prosecutors.

Deputy Minister for Security Services Stanislaw Zaryn noted that dismantling the Russian spy network represented a significant success because the group had posed a serious threat.

“Polish counterintelligence agencies are constantly taking measures to identify hostile activity carried out by Russian and Belarusian services," he said.​​​​​​​