Former Polish Security Chiefs Charged Over Unaccredited Pegasus Surveillance Use
Poland's top prosecutor charged two former security chiefs with dereliction of duty for using the Pegasus surveillance system without required cybersecurity accreditation and without verifying it could protect classified information, allegedly harming the public interest. Both defendants denied the charges.
What happened
On 25 February 2026, Poland's National Prosecutor's Office charged former Agency for Internal Security (ABW) chief Piotr P. and former Military Counterintelligence Service (SKW) chief Maciej M. with dereliction of duty. Piotr P. is accused of permitting and continuing use of the Pegasus surveillance system from October 2018 to February 2020 despite knowing it lacked required cybersecurity accreditation and without verifying it could protect classified information marked 'secret' and 'top secret'. Maciej M. faces similar charges covering June 2018 to February 2022.
The prosecution alleges that using the unaccredited system resulted in failure to protect operational methods, control measures, and classified information gathered during surveillance activities, thereby harming the public interest. Both defendants denied the charges and refused to provide statements.
Reported impact
The alleged failures meant that required protections for operational surveillance methods and classified information were not ensured, causing damage to the public interest.
Index analysis
A special investigation team at the National Prosecutor's Office, established in April 2024, has been examining the legality and propriety of Pegasus use by Polish security services. An earlier investigation began in March 2024.
Governance controls
The charges address the absence of proper cybersecurity accreditation and verification of the Pegasus system before its deployment for sensitive operational activities by state security agencies.
Classification
Sources and evidence
This record was researched and written by the Index, based on the following original reporting.