PGZ Employee Arrested on Espionage Charges; Polish Counterintelligence Cites Foreign State Involvement

The arrest

A Polish national employed by one of the companies within Polska Grupa Zbrojeniowa (PGZ) was taken into custody on 27 May 2026. The arrest was carried out under a warrant issued by the military affairs division of the Poznań District Prosecutor's Office. The suspect faces charges under Article 130 § 2 of the Polish Penal Code, which carries a minimum sentence of eight years' imprisonment or a life term for anyone who, while participating in or acting on behalf of a foreign intelligence service, provides information that could harm the Republic of Poland.

Official confirmation

Defence Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz disclosed the operation in a social media post on Friday afternoon, 29 May. He stated that the evidence was gathered by the Military Counterintelligence Service (SKW) with support from the Internal Security Agency (ABW). On the same day, the Poznań District Court ordered the suspect's pre-trial detention for three months.

We are not only signing very important armament contracts under the SAFE programme, but also properly protecting the Polish defence industry.

The legal framework

Colonel Bartosz Okoniewski, deputy district prosecutor for military affairs in Poznań, confirmed the details provided by the deputy prime minister but stressed that investigators would not release further information to protect the integrity of the proceedings. The charge under Article 130 § 2 specifically targets individuals who, acting within or for a foreign intelligence structure, pass on information whose disclosure could damage the Polish state.

Reaction from the security apparatus

Minister-Coordinator of Special Services Tomasz Siemoniak praised the operation on social media, writing that another espionage suspect was now in custody and commending the work of the SKW, ABW, and the prosecution service. His brief statement underscored the government's framing of the case as part of a broader effort to safeguard national security.

Another espionage suspect in custody. Good job by the SKW, ABW and the prosecution!

PGZ's strategic role

Polska Grupa Zbrojeniowa, established in 2013, is one of Europe's largest defence groups. As of 2024 its capital group comprised 67 companies and held stakes in 27 other entities operating in the defence, shipbuilding, and new-technology sectors. PGZ is the main industrial partner for the Polish Armed Forces' Technical Modernisation Plan and produces radar systems, rifles, optoelectronics, wheeled armoured personnel carriers, barrel artillery, unmanned aerial systems, and battlefield management solutions. The group is managed by the Ministry of State Assets and serves as a primary equipment supplier for the Polish military.