Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Top News
Top News
World

Polish Prosecutors Indict Russian-Spanish Man On Espionage Charges

A man identified as Pablo González, a freelance journalist from Spain who had been based in Poland since 2019, second from left with shaved head, listens to Russian President Vladimir Putin, back to a

Polish prosecutors have formally indicted a Russian-Spanish man on espionage charges. The individual, known as Pavel Rubtsov or Pablo González, was arrested in Przemysl, Poland, on Feb. 28, 2022, shortly after Russia's invasion of Ukraine. He had been posing as a Spanish freelance journalist and was sending reports to Spanish media outlets while residing in Poland since 2019.

Rubtsov, also known as González, was released from Polish detention on Aug. 1 as part of a prisoner swap between Russia and the West. Following his departure from Poland, he was indicted on espionage charges by the national prosecutor's office in Warsaw. The indictment was filed on Aug. 9 in the District Court in Przemysl.

The accused, identified as Pablo G. Y. and Pavel R., is facing charges related to espionage activities conducted between April 2016 and February 2022 in Przemysl, Warsaw, and other locations. The alleged offenses include providing information to Russian military intelligence that could potentially harm Poland as a NATO member state. The indictment specifies that Rubtsov's actions involved spreading disinformation and conducting operational reconnaissance.

The defendant, who could face a prison term of three to 15 years if convicted, is suspected of being a GRU agent. While it remains unclear whether Rubtsov will be tried in absentia, investigations are ongoing into other individuals linked to the case, including a woman identified as Magdalena Ch., believed to be Rubtsov's ex-girlfriend.

Reports suggest that Rubtsov had connections with Russian dissidents abroad and separatist movements in Basque and Catalan regions, suspected of having ties to the Kremlin. The case has raised concerns about foreign espionage activities and their potential impact on national security.

Upon his arrival in Moscow, Rubtsov, now back in Russia, was greeted by President Vladimir Putin. The legal proceedings against him in Poland shed light on the complex nature of international espionage and the challenges posed by individuals operating under nonofficial cover.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.