Polish Judge Flees to Belarus, Prompting Espionage Investigation

A Polish judge, Tomasz Szmydt, has fled across the border to Belarus and sought protection from the autocratic regime in Minsk. Polish authorities have launched an investigation into suspicions that Szmydt may have been acting on behalf of a foreign intelligence service. The incident has raised concerns about the rule of law in Poland and the potential for foreign influence in its judicial system.

Polish authorities have opened an investigation into a judge who fled to Belarus and requested protection from the autocratic regime there.

Tomasz Szmydt, a former judge at the provincial administrative court in Warsaw, fled to Belarus on Monday and told journalists in Minsk that he had been forced to leave Poland due to disagreements with the current Polish government.

The National Prosecutor's Office in Poland said it is investigating suspicions that Szmydt may have been acting on behalf of a foreign intelligence service.

Szmydt's flight to Belarus comes amid concerns about the rule of law in Poland. The right-wing Law and Justice party, which was in power from 2015 to 2023, implemented a series of changes to the judicial system that gave the party more power over the courts and judicial bodies.

These changes sparked a dispute with the European Union, which only closed on Monday.

Szmydt gained notoriety in 2019 when he and his then wife engaged in an online smear campaign against judges critical of the judicial changes made by Law and Justice.

According to Belarus state media, Szmydt has appealed to Belarus' longtime leader, Alexander Lukashenko, for his protection. Szmydt reportedly said that he considers Belarus a "country with great potential" led by a "very wise leader" and a place where "you can live peacefully."

The Polish government has condemned Szmydt's actions and has called for his extradition.

The incident has raised concerns about the potential for foreign influence in Poland's judicial system. Belarus has been accused of interfering in the internal affairs of other countries, including Ukraine and Russia.

The investigation into Szmydt's activities is ongoing, and it remains to be seen what charges he may face.

The incident has also raised questions about the commitment of the new Polish government to democratic norms. The government of Prime Minister Donald Tusk has pledged to restore democratic principles after the previous government's authoritarian rule.

However, Szmydt's flight to Belarus suggests that there may be lingering concerns about the rule of law in Poland.