Poland to Investigate Links Between Epstein and Russian Intelligence Services
The Polish government has announced an investigation into possible links between convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and Russian intelligence services, amid growing concerns that the scandal may have implications beyond criminal justice for the European nation.
According to a statement by Prime Minister Donald Tusk, Poland will create an analytical team to examine whether Polish children were abused via criminal networks connected to Epstein. The government has decided to establish this team after the US Department of Justice released over 3 million more pages of documents related to the Epstein case, revealing new information about his global network of contacts.
Tusk described the scandal as a "completely unprecedented case" and noted that some of the newly released material pointed to "Polish threads" in the scandal. He warned that media reports and analysts have suggested Epstein's activities may have been exploited by Russian security services to gather compromising material on influential figures, creating risks for democratic institutions and national security.
The investigative team will be led by Poland's justice minister and prosecutor general, and will include prosecutors, police, and members of the national security services. The group will operate under classified procedures and begin working immediately. Poland may also seek further, unpublished evidence from US authorities related to any Polish individuals based on the analysis, and may advocate for an international investigation with other countries.
The announcement comes as Russia has been dismissive of any allegations of links to the Epstein scandal. In December, Maria Zakharova, spokesperson for the Russian Foreign Ministry, said the Epstein files exposed the hypocrisy of Western elites who had long criticized Moscow.
The Polish government has announced an investigation into possible links between convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and Russian intelligence services, amid growing concerns that the scandal may have implications beyond criminal justice for the European nation.
According to a statement by Prime Minister Donald Tusk, Poland will create an analytical team to examine whether Polish children were abused via criminal networks connected to Epstein. The government has decided to establish this team after the US Department of Justice released over 3 million more pages of documents related to the Epstein case, revealing new information about his global network of contacts.
Tusk described the scandal as a "completely unprecedented case" and noted that some of the newly released material pointed to "Polish threads" in the scandal. He warned that media reports and analysts have suggested Epstein's activities may have been exploited by Russian security services to gather compromising material on influential figures, creating risks for democratic institutions and national security.
The investigative team will be led by Poland's justice minister and prosecutor general, and will include prosecutors, police, and members of the national security services. The group will operate under classified procedures and begin working immediately. Poland may also seek further, unpublished evidence from US authorities related to any Polish individuals based on the analysis, and may advocate for an international investigation with other countries.
The announcement comes as Russia has been dismissive of any allegations of links to the Epstein scandal. In December, Maria Zakharova, spokesperson for the Russian Foreign Ministry, said the Epstein files exposed the hypocrisy of Western elites who had long criticized Moscow.