Former members and experts of the State Commission investigating Russian influence in Poland—previously chaired by Professor Sławomir Cenckiewicz—have issued a statement in his defense. The declaration comes in response to plans to press charges against him. A public rally in support of Professor Cenckiewicz is also scheduled to take place today outside the prosecutor’s office.
The Military Affairs Division of the Warsaw District Prosecutor’s Office is currently conducting an investigation into the disclosure of classified portions of Poland’s 2011 Armed Forces Deployment Plan, WARTA-00101. The document reportedly outlined a defense strategy based on retreating to the Vistula River line, effectively conceding half the country to a potential Russian aggressor in case of conflict. The probe was launched following a formal complaint filed by Jarosław Stróżyk. Former Defense Minister Mariusz Błaszczak has already been charged in the case, and Professor Cenckiewicz—co-author of the documentary series Reset—is expected to face charges today.
Support for Cenckiewicz: “The Charges Are Without Merit”
In a statement obtained by the Niezalezna.pl news outlet, former members and experts of the State Commission on Russian Influence, which Professor Cenckiewicz headed, voiced strong opposition to the prosecutor’s actions.
“We, the undersigned former members and experts of the State Commission for Investigating Russian Influence on the Internal Security of the Republic of Poland between 2007 and 2022, strongly oppose the actions of the Warsaw District Prosecutor’s Office targeting Professor Sławomir Cenckiewicz, PhD. We firmly state that the charges brought against him in the case involving the declassification of parts of the ‘Warta’ Armed Forces Deployment Plan by former Defense Minister Mariusz Błaszczak are politically motivated reprisals.”
The signatories argue the charges are without merit and lack a solid legal or factual basis. They also question the legitimacy of the investigation itself, noting that the case is being handled by a prosecutor—Lt. Col. Marcin Maksjan—who was allegedly improperly appointed and is operating under what they describe as a clear conflict of interest.
“Prosecutor Maksjan is not only the son of a former officer of the communist-era security services and the Military Intelligence Services, but also a member of the organization Lex Super Omnia, whose political neutrality has been widely questioned,” the statement reads.
A Broader Context
The authors of the letter emphasize the broader implications of the case.
“Professor Sławomir Cenckiewicz led the work of the State Commission examining Russian influence on Poland’s internal security from 2007 to 2022. The Commission’s final report revealed unacceptable ties between the leadership of the Military Counterintelligence Service and Russia’s FSB between 2010 and 2014. It also pointed to serious oversight failures by then-Prime Minister Donald Tusk and his ministers.”
They note that the current investigation was launched based on a complaint by Brig. Gen. Jarosław Stróżyk, now head of the Military Counterintelligence Service. Moreover, Professor Cenckiewicz is reportedly playing a key role in the presidential campaign of Dr. Karol Nawrocki, an opposition candidate whose potential election could significantly shift Poland’s political landscape.
“We express our full solidarity with Professor Sławomir Cenckiewicz and our utmost respect for his scholarly achievements and commitment to national security. We strongly support the rally in his defense on May 8, 2025, in Warsaw, and call on all like-minded individuals to join us in this demonstration.”
Signatories:
- Brig. Gen. Andrzej Kowalski – former Deputy Chair of the State Commission
- Prof. Andrzej Zybertowicz – former Commission member
- Dr. Łukasz Cięgotura – former Commission member
- Arkadiusz Puławski – former Commission member
- Dr. Marek Szymaniak – former Commission member
- Dr. Michał Wojnowski – former Commission member
- Dr. hab. Przemysław Żurawski vel Grajewski – former Commission member
- Attorney Anna Szeląg – former Commission expert
- Col. Mariusz Kozłowski – former Commission expert
- Piotr Woyciechowski – former Commission expert