{"id":178896,"date":"2026-03-11T11:11:45","date_gmt":"2026-03-11T08:11:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pozirk.online\/en\/news\/178896\/"},"modified":"2026-03-11T11:11:47","modified_gmt":"2026-03-11T08:11:47","slug":"poland-suspends-investigation-against-ex-judge-sheltered-by-belarus","status":"publish","type":"articles","link":"https:\/\/pozirk.online\/en\/news\/178896\/","title":{"rendered":"Poland suspends investigation against ex-judge sheltered by Belarus"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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\n (Szmydt's Facebook account)<\/span>\n <\/div>\n <\/figcaption>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

March 11, Pozirk<\/em>.<\/strong> Poland has suspended an investigation into a former judge who fled to Belarus, citing a lack of access to the suspect, Wirtualna Polska<\/em> reported.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The investigation was suspended on November 7, 2025, the website quoted Przemys\u0142aw Nowak, spokesman for the National Prosecutor\u2019s Office, as saying.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He added that Belarus had refused to cooperate in the case, while extradition is impossible after the country granted political asylum to the former judge, Tomasz Szmydt, in November 2024.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Polish judge defected to Belarus in May 2024, seeking political asylum and later joining the state news agency BelTA, while facing an investigation in Poland for alleged cooperation with Belarusian secret services.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His passport was revoked by the Masovian Voivodeship, limiting his travel options and potentially leaving him stranded in Belarus unless he receives a new passport from Belarusian authorities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Szmydt claimed he was forced to leave Poland because of his disagreement with the government\u2019s policies. He also said that he \u201cwas persecuted and threatened for his independent political position.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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