The Military Counterintelligence Service officially starts an inspection procedure when it obtains new information showing that a person with a valid security clearance does not guarantee confidentiality – as we read in the SKW press release. As added, approximately 150 such procedures have been initiated in the period 2021-2023.
On Wednesday, the Ministry of Defense announced that the Military Counterintelligence Service had initiated an inspection procedure “regarding the personal security clearance of Lieutenant General Jarosław Gromadziński in connection with obtaining new information about the officer.”
Therefore, it was decided to dismiss Lieutenant General Gromadziński from his position as commander of the Eurocorps and his immediate return to the country.
– informed the Ministry of National Defense.
On Thursday, the SKW posted a message on its website with information about these types of SKW inspection procedures.
The Military Counterintelligence Service, acting in accordance with the provisions of the Law of August 5, 2010 on the Protection of Secret Information (Official Gazette of 2023, item 756, as amended), initiates ex officio inspection procedures in the event of obtaining new information indicating that a person with a valid security clearance does not guarantee confidentiality
– we are reading.
READ ALSO: General Gromadziński responds to the inspection initiated by the Military Counterintelligence Service: “I want to assure you that I have nothing to reproach myself”
About. 150 procedures in 2021-2023
As added, in the years 2021–2023, the Military Counterintelligence Service initiated approximately 150 inspection procedures against soldiers, officers of the Military Counterintelligence Service and employees of the Ministry of National Defense.
The Military Counterintelligence Service also stated that the verification procedure may last up to six months within the basic period, and may be extended once for another six months in particularly justified cases.
The procedure consists of two bodies, meaning that a negative decision by the Military Counterintelligence Service can be appealed to the Prime Minister and is subject to judicial and administrative control.
– we read in the announcement.
The Military Counterintelligence Service is currently following suit, partly as a result of the investigation conducted in the first quarter of this year. audit of the activities of the Military Counterintelligence Service in the years 2015-2023, guided by the protection of classified information, initiates inspection procedures against persons within its jurisdiction, regardless of their official position and rank
– added.
The case of General Gromadziński
General Gromadziński, who previously commanded the Eurocorps – a multinational military structure working with the EU and NATO – has held this position since June 2023; he was the first Polish officer in this position; Formerly, among other things, he commanded the 18th Mechanized Division, which was established in 2018, and also participated in the International Team for Assistance to Ukraine in Wiesbaden, Germany, where he was responsible, together with the US Army, for training Ukrainian soldiers.
SKW is one of the military special services whose main task is to protect the state defense system, including the Polish Armed Forces, the Ministry of National Defense and other units, from internal threats, including, for example, the activities of foreign intelligence services. The head of the Military Counterintelligence Service reports primarily to the Minister of Defense, and in certain areas also directly to the Prime Minister and the Minister-Coordinator of the Secret Services. Its activities are also subject to control by the Sejm. From December 2023, General Jarosław Stróżyk will be the head of the SKW, and his deputy will be Colonel Krzysztof Dusza.
READ ALSO: Kosiniak-Kamysz fired the head of the Eurocorps. The neo-SKW expressed its reservations to Lieutenant General Gromadziński
yes/DAD
Source: wPolityce
Emma Matthew is a political analyst for “Social Bites”. With a keen understanding of the inner workings of government and a passion for politics, she provides insightful and informative coverage of the latest political developments.