Tusk: the case of Olgierd L. could have troubling international implications

Olgierd L., 47, was arrested in Gdańsk and was to be transferred to the Lower Silesian branch of the Department for Organized Crime and Corruption in Wrocław. The arrest is tied to an ongoing investigation into potential links to acts of sabotage and subversion, allegedly inspired by Russian interests.

Prime Minister Donald Tusk said on Thursday that the case, which has been under investigation for some time by prosecutors specializing in organized crime and espionage, is expected to involve a complex international context.

"This is related to serious organized crime. Unfortunately, we also expect an alarming international context regarding this case. The investigation has been led by the prosecutor's office for a long time, specializing in issues of serious economic crime and espionage, so it seems that the case is truly in good hands," he said.

The arrest also connects to a recent anonymous "report" that has circulated in the media, linking Karol Nawrocki, a candidate for the presidency endorsed by the Law and Justice party (PiS), to Olgierd L.

Said report has raised concerns about Nawrocki’s past, specifically about potential criminal ties, with Olgierd L. being described as a central figure in these allegations.

RMF FM has confirmed that Olgierd L. was arrested at the request of prosecutors conducting an investigation into acts of diversion and sabotage being carried out in Poland, inspired by Russia. The information provided by RMF FM was also unofficially confirmed by Robert Zieliński from tvn24.pl.

Tusk reflected on his recent post on the social media platform X, where he expressed his dissatisfaction with the slow progress of holding the ruling Law and Justice (PiS) party accountable.

He wrote: "Accountability for PiS is progressing slower because not everyone in the coalition understands that without accountability, there will be no repair of the Republic. And if they don’t finally get it together, they will be held accountable by the people."

Tusk stated at the conference: "I am impressed by this debate on the pace of accountability for corruption, ordinary crimes, and abuse of power. I have also expressed this. I am not entirely satisfied with the pace and intensity of actions. It’s not about any specific coalition parties. We are all responsible for this."

The prime minister emphasized that he expects his officials and security services to act with more determination and energy in addressing corruption and crimes committed by those in power. "And that applies to the whole state, but also to political leaders," he added.

"I want to tell you that even if this pace is unsatisfactory, I will certainly not give up on this issue."

Tusk also stated: "I don’t want to mention all the cases that have been started - arrests, investigations against people from the former ruling camp who abused their power or simply stole." "I want to say that one of these actions is today’s operation at the request of the Regional Prosecutor’s Office in Rzeszów, at places where Tadeusz Rydzyk has interests," he added.

The prime minister emphasized that "there can be no sacred cows." "Wherever there is suspicion of committing a crime, abuse, or misuse of public finances, we will act. Faster, slower, more forcefully, less efficiently, but we will certainly act, and I will also make sure that no one capitulates," he declared.

Finally, Tusk reassured the public, saying: "Those PiS politicians who seem aggressive and offensive today are just an illustration of the well-known principle: aggression is a sign of weakness and fear. We will continue to act in a way that shows they really have something to fear. And you have nothing to fear."