Poland detains two ex-anti-corruption bureau officials for eavesdropping on opposition figures

Polish authorities have arrested two former senior officials of the Central Anti-Corruption Bureau (CBA) over their alleged involvement in the illegal surveillance of hundreds of opposition politicians using the controversial Israeli spyware Pegasus.

The arrests were ordered by a special investigative team handling the Pegasus surveillance scandal, said national prosecutor’s office spokesperson Przemysław Nowak, who spoke to Radio Zet on June 4, Caliber.Az reports.

"At the request of the prosecutor leading the Pegasus investigation, two former CBA functionaries were detained today," Nowak confirmed.

The suspects include the former head of the CBA’s Warsaw division and the chief of its operational-investigative department. Their names have not been disclosed. Prosecutors are expected to begin formal questioning on June 5.

The allegations stem from the CBA’s initial acquisition of Pegasus spyware from Israel, which was reportedly intended for high-level anti-corruption operations. However, investigators say the software was subsequently used to eavesdrop on 578 opposition figures—a move seen as politically motivated and illegal.

The probe further revealed that Poland’s Internal Security Agency (ABW), Military Counterintelligence Service (SKW), and the national police also accessed the data obtained through Pegasus. In return, these agencies financially compensated the CBA for data access. Notably, the SKW is said to have transferred up to 4 million zlotys annually (approximately $1 million) to the bureau for continued use of the spyware.

Pegasus is a sophisticated spyware developed by the Israeli cyber-intelligence firm NSO Group. It is designed to covertly infiltrate mobile devices running iOS and Android operating systems, enabling remote surveillance without the user's knowledge. While NSO Group markets Pegasus as a tool for combating terrorism and serious crime, investigations have revealed its widespread misuse against journalists, activists, politicians, and other individuals, raising significant human rights concerns.

By Khagan Isayev