July 2, Pozirk. Poland’s Internal Security Agency (ABW) arrested a Belarusian man in Lublin on June 25 on suspicion of spying on Belarusian opposition groups operating in exile. Authorities say he was filming pro-democracy events organized by the Belarusian opposition, and that some of this footage later appeared in Belarusian state propaganda.
The arrest comes amid concerns among the Belarusian exiled opposition about what they call transnational repression – attempts by the Belarus’ authoritarian government to intimidate critics abroad.
The man is suspected of working for a foreign intelligence service and will remain in custody for at least three months while the investigation continues. Polish authorities are also considering charges against a Polish citizen accused of filming similar opposition gatherings; that person has had their passport confiscated and is banned from leaving the country.
The ABW links this case to a broader investigation that began in November, involving multiple detentions: two Ukrainians and three Belarusians.
The case fits into a wider pattern since the disputed 2020 Belarusian presidential election, after which large protests erupted and many activists fled abroad. Belarus has since increased legal and security measures targeting exiled dissidents, including laws allowing trials in absentia and property seizures. Opposition groups have also accused Belarusian security agencies of recruiting individuals to film opposition events overseas.
