Poland forms state commission to investigate 'Russian influence': Report

By Ahmet Gencturk

ATHENS (AA) – Poland has established a state commission to investigate the "Russian influence" within the country, local media reported on Monday.

President Andrzej Duda has signed the act establishing the State Commission for the Study of Russian Influence on the Internal Affairs of Poland, as reported by the state-run PAP news agency.

“I have no doubt that the issue of Russian influence needs explaining,” he said, emphasizing that he approved the act in light of the ongoing serious discussions on Russia's political influence taking place in the US and several European countries.

“Similar commission should be established in European level too,” Duda said.

According to PAP, the committee will investigate "Russian influence in Poland" and will review administrative decisions, processes related to the creation, copying, and sharing of information with third parties, the management of public funds, as well as measures taken to influence administrative decisions and the processes leading to harmful policy decisions.

The commission will be empowered with the authority to revoke administrative decisions "made under Russian influences," and it will also have the ability to impose a ban on officials holding positions related to the management of public funds for a duration of up to 10 years, according to reports.