During security operations conducted on behalf of the State Protection Service, a border guard identified a GPS locator mounted in a vehicle that did not belong to the SOP. This device was used in VIP convoys, according to Jacek Siewiera, head of the National Security Bureau, who spoke on TVN24 on Thursday.
Responding to a question from the head of the National Security Agency about whether it is known who placed the tracker in the presidential car—detected at Katowice airport by the Border Guard rather than by the State Protection Service—Siewiera stated: “It is not true.”
A border guard, acting under the instructions of the State Protection Service during an SOP operation, indeed found a tracker in a vehicle not belonging to the SOP. It was, in fact, used in VIP motorcades.
– said Siewiera.
He clarified that the tracker was positioned on a bus, but not on the president’s bus.
Siewiera also highlighted that over the past two years, under the current leadership, the State Protection Service has conducted more than 600 protection operations. These include several dozen visits of Polish delegations to a war-torn country, amid not only sabotage by armed groups but also open confrontation featuring artillery. He recalled that the SOP, together with the military unit GROM, secured the visit to Kyiv at a time when Russian troops were nearby and active in the city, including armed operations.
From this perspective of hundreds of protective missions, no one was killed and no direct harm occurred during confrontations. The locator is described as a small tool used to achieve certain objectives; if anyone planted it there, the attempt was thwarted exemplarily.
– said Siewiera.
According to tvn24.pl, during the summer of this year, SOP investigators found a tracker in a car belonging to the Chancellery of the President of Poland. The article noted that the device allows real-time monitoring of the car’s position. It also stated that President Andrzej Duda did not travel in the car with the tracker, though this does not rule out the possibility of his future travel in such a vehicle. The discovery was made by SOP pyrotechnicians who, following procedures, inspected cars intended for the presidential motorcade for explosives before locating the attached tracker. TVN24 reported.
Meeting of the head of the National Security Bureau with defense groups
In recent days, at the president’s request, meetings were held at the National Security Bureau with representatives from virtually all major defense groups, said Jacek Siewiera, head of the National Security Bureau, on TVN24 on Thursday.
The head of the National Security Bureau emphasized that the president believes in strong security cooperation with every government representative appointed, regardless of the current composition or a parliamentary majority. [TVN24 attribution]
It is noted that in recent days, at the president’s behest, meetings took place at the National Security Bureau with representatives from nearly all major defense-oriented groups. The discussions focused on defense and security as components of the state’s immunity system, conducted away from cameras to allow frank talks about potential collaboration in this area.
– said Siewiera.
The president is said to place a high priority on security matters. When asked about outcomes, Siewiera mentioned that first, the areas of state responsibility of particular interest to the president were highlighted as essential to address threats on the eastern border, a situation described as bleak.
Siewiera was also asked whether Poland could sustain an army of 300,000 soldiers and whether that would be the right size for the country. He responded that such a force is achievable in principle, ambitious yet feasible, including from a demographic standpoint. He noted that Polish history demonstrates that such armed forces are possible. [Polish defense context attribution]
READ ALSO: Tusk received SOP protection before Christmas. The decision was made by the head of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Administration. There was also a complaint from the police. [Polish political context attribution]
mly/PAP
Source: wPolityce [Polish media attribution]