The District Court in Warsaw on Wednesday suspended criminal proceedings against Paweł Rubcow, a former agent of Russian military intelligence (GRU), until he is located. Rubcow, detained in Poland in February 2022 while posing as Spanish journalist Pablo González, was exchanged in August 2024 and sent back to Russia as part of a major prisoner swap between Moscow and Washington. The prosecutor requested that the Court of Appeal be asked to consider applying temporary arrest against him. The trial was held in camera, and the court has no evidence that Rubcow was served notice of the hearing.

Suspension of Court Proceedings

The District Court in Warsaw on Wednesday suspended criminal proceedings against Paweł Rubcow, accused of espionage for Russia. The decision was made due to the inability to ensure the accused's presence, as he was exchanged and sent back to Russia in 2024. The trial was suspended until the Russian national is located.

Request for Temporary Arrest

The prosecutor is requesting that the Court of Appeal be asked to consider applying temporary arrest against Rubcow. This measure aims to secure the further course of proceedings should the accused be found. The court has no evidence that he was served notice of the hearing.

Case Background and Prisoner Exchange

Paweł Rubcow, an agent of Russian military intelligence GRU, was detained by the Internal Security Agency in February 2022. At the time, he was posing as Spanish journalist Pablo González. In August 2024, he returned to Russia as part of a major prisoner exchange between the Russian Federation and the United States.

Felony-Level Charges

Rubcow is accused of espionage activities harming Poland and NATO between 2016 and 2022. The charges include, among others, gathering and transmitting information, spreading disinformation, and conducting operational reconnaissance. Due to the felony status, the accused must be present at least at the first hearing date.

The District Court in Warsaw on Wednesday suspended criminal proceedings against former Russian military intelligence (GRU) agent Paweł Rubcow. The decision was made pending the location of the accused, who has been in Russia since August 2024, where he was sent as part of a prisoner exchange between Moscow and Washington. Court spokesperson Judge Anna Ptaszek informed that the court has no evidence that Rubcow was served notice of the hearing. The prosecutor filed a motion requesting that the Court of Appeal be asked to consider applying temporary arrest against the Russian. Paweł Rubcow was detained by the Internal Security Agency in February 2022. During his activities in Poland, which lasted from April 2016, he used the identity of Spanish journalist Pablo González. He is accused of committing a felony. The charges include conducting intelligence activities on behalf of Russia, which allegedly caused harm to the Republic of Poland as a NATO member state. These activities involved gathering and transmitting information, spreading disinformation, and conducting operational reconnaissance. Prisoner exchanges between Russia and the West, especially after the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, have become a diplomatic tool. The most famous was the September 2022 exchange, when Russia released Olympic champion Brittney Griner in return for arms dealer Viktor Bout. Such operations are controversial, as they often involve individuals convicted of espionage, placing states in a dilemma between security and the humanitarian goal of freeing citizens.Rubcow's trial was held in camera, which is standard practice in espionage cases. The current legal situation is a deadlock: the accused is outside the jurisdiction of the Polish justice system, and the Polish court cannot effectively proceed in his absence, especially as the charges are classified as a felony. The temporary arrest measure requested by the prosecutor is preventive in nature, in case Rubcow were to reappear on Polish territory or in another country cooperating with the Polish justice system.

Mentioned People

  • Paweł Rubcow — Former agent of Russian military intelligence GRU, accused in Poland of espionage, detained in 2022, exchanged in 2024.
  • Anna Ptaszek — Judge, spokesperson for the District Court in Warsaw, who informed about the suspension of proceedings and the prosecutor's motion.