Polish Justice Committee Probes Searches of Opposition MPs Amid Pegasus Spyware Scandal

A stormy meeting of the Justice Committee in Poland's parliament discussed searches conducted on MPs from the opposition Law and Justice (PiS) party, as revelations emerged about the extensive use of powerful Pegasus spyware against hundreds of people during the previous PiS-led government. Prosecutor General Adam Bodnar revealed to the committee that Pegasus was used to monitor 578 individuals, including elected officials, from 2017 to 2022 by three government agencies.

Bodnar described the scale of the surveillance as "shocking and depressing," stating that the use of Pegasus "poisoned the essence of democracy in Poland." He emphasized that the Polish state does not have full control over the data gathered through Pegasus, as the system operates on a license granted by an Israeli company. The searches of opposition MPs and the Pegasus scandal have fueled accusations of abuse of power and erosion of democratic norms under the previous government.

Why this matters: The Pegasus spyware scandal in Poland highlights the potential for abuse of powerful surveillance tools by governments and the threat they pose to democracy and civil liberties. The extensive targeting of opposition figures and lack of oversight raise serious concerns about the rule of law and the integrity of Poland's political system.

Prime Minister Donald Tusk, whose Civic Coalition (KO) party now leads the government, has emphasized the importance of restoring democratic norms in Poland. Investigations into the use of Pegasus are part of a larger effort to address the alleged abuses of the previous administration. The searches of PiS MPs come amid heightened political tensions, with Tusk urging Poles to vote in the upcoming European Parliament elections, which he described as one of the most important in Poland's post-war history.

Bodnar's testimony to the Justice Committee painted a disturbing picture of the extent of surveillance under the previous government. "The use of Pegasus against 578 people from 2017 to 2022 is shocking and depressing," he stated. "It poisoned the essence of democracy in Poland." The revelations have sparked outrage and calls for accountability, as the country grapples with the fallout of the spyware scandal and its implications for the future of Polish democracy.

Key Takeaways

• Polish parliament discussed Pegasus spyware use on 578 people, including MPs, 2017-2022.
• Prosecutor General said Pegasus "poisoned the essence of democracy" in Poland.
• Pegasus operated on an Israeli company's license, beyond Polish state's full control.
• Searches of opposition MPs and Pegasus scandal fueled accusations of abuse of power.
• Investigations aim to address alleged abuses of previous administration, ahead of EU elections.