The Polish National Prosecutor’s Office tapped the phones of officials and politicians using Hermes software. A Polish newspaper writes about this Wyborcza.
In 2021, the department purchased the Hermes spy system for 15 million zlotys (more than $3.5 million). This program is more advanced than the well-known Pegasus spyware, which can be secretly installed on mobile phones and other devices. Previously, Polish authorities were accused of using this program.
According to the publication, Hermes was used for illegal surveillance of officials, judges and prosecutors who might be disloyal to the government. To protect the spyware, the prosecution allegedly hired two former employees of the Polish Internal Security Service.
The current leadership of the prosecutor’s office learned about the surveillance by chance, when the invoice for the periodic subscription to the Hermes system arrived at the headquarters.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk in February approved Widespread use of Pegasus software in the country.
Previously in Poland detained The Belarusian is suspected of spying for Russia.