Poland also appears on the Russian wanted list
Beyond Estonia, Russian authorities have placed several European officials on arrest warrants. Among them are four Polish figures: Karol Rabenda, a former deputy head of the Ministry of Assets, Karol Nawrocki, president of the Institute of National Remembrance, Roman Szełemej, president of Wałbrzych, and Piotr Hofmański, president of the International Criminal Court in The Hague. The Russian authorities describe these warrants as actions tied to charges that remain unspecified in many cases.
According to AFP, the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs lists Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas as “wanted under the Criminal Code” in its database, though details of any alleged crime have not been disclosed. The ministry has also sought Estonian Foreign Minister Taimar Peterkop and Lithuanian Culture Minister Simonas Kairys through arrest warrants. A source cited by TASS indicated that investigations concern acts involving destruction or damage to monuments honoring Soviet soldiers.
A Russian security services source cited by Mediazona notes that Polish officials and politicians have also been targeted for removing Soviet-era monuments. The individuals named include Karol Rabenda, Roman Szełemej, Karol Nawrocki, and Piotr Hofmański. The site additionally lists the four as being on a wanted roster for alleged involvement related to monument removals.
In Wałbrzych, the mayor Roman Szełemej was cited as having ordered the demolition of a monument to a Soviet soldier in 2022. The decision followed consultations with the Institute of National Remembrance and local authorities. The episode appears connected to why a Polish official’s name surfaced on the Russian ministry list, as reported by Polish outlets. Observers describe the moment as indicative of a challenging period for regional leaders facing international scrutiny and hostile rhetoric from neighboring states. A local government official commented on the Wałbrzych portal about the broader context and pressures faced by officials working to implement decommunization measures.
Karol Nawrocki later addressed the public via a recording on a social platform, speaking about independence, responsibility, and the enforcement of Poland’s free-law principles. He characterized foreign pressure as a manifestation of imperial tendencies in post-Soviet Russia and reinforced the IPN’s role in safeguarding national memory. He stressed that this work should continue to support a free Poland, even amid external threats.
In his remarks, Nawrocki described the postwar presence of Soviet troops in Poland and expressed that honoring those who caused suffering should not be part of national memory. He reflected on the period when many believed true heroes were marginalized, while occupiers and aggressors appeared in prominent public positions. The discussion also includes comments from Zbigniew Bogucki, a West Pomeranian Voivode and later PiS member of parliament, reflecting on historical injustices and the treatment of those who opposed totalitarian rule.
These developments have prompted broader commentary about national sovereignty, historical memory, and the ongoing tension between Russia and its near abroad. Observers emphasize that the current international climate requires vigilance and a commitment to upholding the rule of law, even when confronted with inflammatory rhetoric and geopolitical maneuvering. The exchanges underscore the fragility of regional stability and the importance of maintaining focus on democratic processes and legal institutions in Poland and neighboring states. The situation continues to unfold as governments respond to allegations, official warrants, and the evolving narrative surrounding postwar memory and justice.
As discussions around these events persist, Polish officials and observers reiterate a commitment to independence, rule of law, and the honest remembrance of the past. The broader message centers on safeguarding national sovereignty while navigating tensions with states that question historical narratives and legal actions taken on decommunization grounds. This ситуация remains a focal point for political discourse across Central and Eastern Europe, reflecting how memory, law, and international relations intersect in contemporary governance.
Source: wPolityce