Poland’s Justice Minister Promises Data on Surveillance and Pegasus Use
Justice Minister Adam Bodnar announced on Monday that he will present statistical data on operational surveillance and wiretapping, including activity related to the Pegasus software, to the Sejm. He emphasized that the figures will lay out the scale of such practices in recent years and will be shared openly with lawmakers and the public.
During an appearance on TVN24, Bodnar was asked whether he possesses a complete list of individuals monitored through the Pegasus system. His reply suggested that the scope is broader than currently disclosed, and he underscored the importance of transparency about how this technology has been used.
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What the Minister of Justice Understands About the Scope
The minister stated plainly that he knows the scale of the activity, noting that the situation is significantly larger than what public knowledge has shown so far.
He described the first step as a procedural move under the Public Prosecution Act, allowing him as Attorney General to present statistical information on how operational control and wiretapping have been employed in Poland. The plan is to deliver these findings in the Sejm, to outline the historical context and to provide a statistical view of the utilization of this technology.
Bodnar asserted that the information may include details about specific Pegasus use and said the public has a right to know the magnitude of these operations in a transparent manner.
The second part of his remarks touched on the handling of the entire list of individuals under surveillance. He acknowledged that there can be various circumstances. Even if Pegasus was used under an operational control framework, it might have been aimed at detecting espionage activities. He stressed that while some information cannot be disclosed openly, there is a commitment to eventually address the legality of Pegasus and its use.
He also called for a process to verify how this technique was applied. If evidence shows abuse or political targeting, each affected person should be informed and given options for addressing potential damages, such as recourse through liability measures or other remedies. This is part of a broader effort to ensure accountability.
For example, activists or journalists could receive formal letters outlining when Pegasus was employed and what consequences or remedies might follow, allowing them to decide on their next steps.
– Bodnar explained.
“A Shockingly Long List”
Bodnar noted that the secret roster of those under surveillance sits with the minister coordinating secret services, Tomasz Siemoniak. He described the list as unexpectedly lengthy and remarked that it is difficult to imagine legitimate reasons for many entries on it.
Siemoniak was queried on the same topic during an interview with Polish Radio, where he acknowledged ongoing collaboration with Bodnar on how to communicate the names publicly and how to inform those who may have been monitored unlawfully. The dialogue highlighted the need to consider legal constraints tied to investigations and prosecutor activities.
The Pegasus parliamentary investigative committee, which began its first meeting last week, aims to examine the legality, precision, and targeting of Pegasus and similar devices used by Polish authorities from November 2015 through November 2023. The panel will also determine who procured these devices. Witnesses are slated to include former service heads Mariusz Kamiński and Maciej Wąsik, PiS president Jarosław Kaczyński, and former justice minister Zbigniew Ziobro.
One observer noted that Bodnar’s statements could steer how the committee’s findings are perceived, potentially framing the inquiry as either a clarifying exercise or a media-driven spectacle with a predetermined outcome. Critics and supporters alike will watch closely how the process unfolds and whether it yields clear accountability for Pegasus operations.
gah/TVN24/PAP