DISINFO: Polish judge ran away to Belarus because of his dissident anti-war position
SUMMARY
The Polish judge, Tomasz Szmydt, was forced to leave Poland because he was persecuted and threatened for his independent political stance. The judge expressed his protest against the actions of the Polish authorities, which led the country to the war under US and UK influence.
RESPONSE
Poland is repeatedly presented by pro-Kremlin disinformation outlets as an aggressive anti-Russian NATO 'outpost', which allegedly poses a security threat to Russia. This is in line with how pro-Kremlin outlets portray NATO and Western countries as aggressive towards Russia. See our article All roads lead to Poland.
This claim was made in connection with the statements and accusations of Polish Judge Tomasz Szmydt, who fled to Belarus seeking “political asylum”. For several months, this person was observed by the Polish special services who suspected him of espionage in favour of Belarus and Russia.
Poland is not planning any aggressive anti-Russian actions and it does not persecute its citizens for their political views.
The Polish authorities perceive Russia as a security threat because of their aggressive actions, in particular in Ukraine and over Eastern Europe.
The 2020 National Security Strategy of Poland states that the most serious security threat for the country is the neo-imperial policy of the authorities of the Russian Federation, pursued by means of military force (aggression against Georgia, illegal annexation of Crimea and military actions in Eastern Ukraine).
See other examples of similar messages claiming that constant intimidation with Russia is used to make Poland economically dependent on the USA, the Polish authorities created an insane hysteria of intimidation with Russia, used for the needs of domestic politics, and The Polish authorities want to use the Army to fight domestic riots, not Russia.