TALLINN, Estonia — Belarus has granted asylum to Tomasz Szmydt, a former Polish judge facing espionage charges in Poland, asserting his persecution was politically motivated. Szmydt defected to Belarus, a close ally of the Kremlin, in May, sparking controversy and intense scrutiny into his rapid career progression within the Polish legal system.
President Alexander Lukashenko of Belarus, known for his autocratic leadership, issued the decree on Friday. This development places further strain on Belarus’ relations with European Union and NATO member states, including Poland, which has been a staunch supporter of Ukraine amidst ongoing conflicts with Russia.
Upon arriving in Belarus, Szmydt sought refuge citing a repressive political climate against Belarus and Russia within Poland. Soon after his departure, Polish authorities escalated their response by adding him to a wanted list, paving the way for an international arrest warrant centered on espionage allegations which could severely limit his international travel.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk has labeled Szmydt a traitor, a designation stemming from concerns about the potential security breach involving sensitive information that Szmydt might possess. This has triggered an in-depth examination by Poland’s prosecutors and intelligence services into the implications of his access to classified data.
Previously, Szmydt held a judicial position at the Warsaw Administrative Court, from which he resigned, criticizing Poland’s foreign policy. Shortly after his resignation, he appeared at a press conference in Belarus championing Lukashenko’s regime and presented himself as a target of unjust treatment in Poland.
His controversial activities extend beyond his defection. Szmydt was embroiled in a 2019 controversy for participating in an online campaign aimed at discrediting fellow judges, an initiative reported to have ties with the then right-wing government’s Justice Ministry. In a dramatic pivot, Szmydt appeared in a 2022 television documentary revealing unscrupulous behaviors among judges aligned with Poland’s ruling party.
Szmydt’s departure from Poland shocked the nation, a country that historically harbors deep-seated mistrust towards Russia. This backdrop makes his asylum in Belarus—a nation significantly reliant on Russian support—particularly provocative. Belarus has not only welcomed Russian military backing but has provided strategic avenues for Russian troops and weaponry amidst the Ukraine conflict.
In the lead-up to Belarus’ presidential election slated for January, where Lukashenko aims for a seventh term, domestic suppression has intensified. The Belarusian government has detained numerous individuals expressing solidarity with Ukraine.
The tension escalates further recalling the harsh governmental crackdown following the disputed 2020 Belarusian presidential elections. Approximately 65,000 people were detained, with major opposition figures either incarcerated or exiled. Currently, human rights groups report that around 1,300 political prisoners remain detained under Lukashenko’s regime.
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