Once again, we are witnessing a disturbing trend in Poland: political persecution of those who dare to expose inconvenient truths. Mariusz Błaszczak, former Minister of National Defense, and Professor Sławomir Cenckiewicz, a respected historian, are facing politically motivated charges. Why? Because they revealed how the PO-PSL government planned to defend Poland only at the Wisła River—abandoning half the country to potential invaders.
Punished for Transparency
Let’s be clear: the documents Błaszczak exposed were already archival. As PiS MP Krzysztof Szczucki put it, “He simply showed the Polish people how past governments viewed our security.” But instead of applauding his transparency, the post-communist establishment is trying to silence him.
The same goes for Professor Cenckiewicz, who played a key role in dismantling the notorious Wojskowe Służby Informacyjne (WSI)—the last vestiges of Soviet-era military intelligence. The man leading the charge against him? Prosecutor Marcin Maksjan, whose own father served in the WSI. Is this about justice or revenge?
A Clear Conflict of Interest
Maksjan’s father was a radio operator in the intelligence structures that operated under Soviet oversight. Later, he continued his career in the WSI, which Cenckiewicz helped dismantle. Now, his son is pressing charges against the very man who fought to rid Poland of communist influence. Coincidence? Unlikely.
The War on Free Speech
This isn’t just about two men—it’s about a growing pattern. Journalists like Michał Rachoń have highlighted how past Polish leaders compromised our national security under Russian influence. His documentary series Reset meticulously documented these ties, yet those who expose such truths are the ones facing legal trouble.
Rachoń put it plainly on TV Republika: “In Poland today, people are being prosecuted for revealing the extent of Russian influence, while those who aided it hold powerful positions.” If exposing past mistakes is now a crime, what does that say about our democracy?
Defending Poland Should Not Be a Crime
The real issue here isn’t legality—it’s control. The current establishment doesn’t want people to know about their past mistakes. If they can silence Błaszczak and Cenckiewicz, they can silence anyone who questions their narrative.