“Agents of ABW (Polish Security Agency) detained a Spanish citizen of Russian origin (…) identified as an agent of the General Information Directorate of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation,” they said in a statement.
“He acted for Russia, taking advantage of his position as a journalist,” they added.
The man was identified as Pablo Gonzalez, and was arrested on the night of February 27-28 in Przemysl, near the Polish-Ukrainian border, where he had been staying for a few days, after he had planned a trip to Ukraine.
According to the Polish authorities, the detained journalist worked in Przemysl, at the Medica border crossing and in Warsaw, but also in other countries, and had two Russian passports and bank cards, issued in two different names.
The suspect faces a 10-year prison sentence in Poland.
In the early hours of February 24, Russia launched a 3D military offensive in Ukraine, with ground forces and bombings in several cities. The Kyiv authorities have so far killed more than 2,000 civilians, including children, and according to the United Nations, the attacks have already caused more than 1.2 million refugees in Poland, Hungary, Moldova and Romania, among other countries.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has justified the “special military operation” in Ukraine with the need to disarm the neighboring country, claiming that it is the only way for Russia to defend itself and ensure the offensive continues for as long as possible.
