On Monday, the Sejm committee of enquiry for Pegasus is planning to interview 2 key witnesses: neo-president of the unconstitutionally shaped written “Constitutional Tribunal”, erstwhile national prosecutor Bogdan Święczkowski and erstwhile Chief of Military Intelligence Service Andrzej Kowalski. These hearings aim to clarify issues related to the operational operation of the Pegasus controversial spy system. What is worth knowing about this event and what its consequences might be?
When will the hearings take place and what can we expect?
The proceeding of Bogdan Święczkowski is scheduled for Monday, January 15, at 3:30 p.m. Then, in open mode, the committee will interview Andrzej Kowalski, erstwhile head of the Military Intelligence Service. At 6:30 p.m., an undisclosed interview is besides planned.
According to Vice-President of the Commission, Tomasz Trela (Levice), both witnesses will be asked mainly about Operation of Pegasus. – These are not people who are curious in researching the purchasing sphere, due to the fact that they did not have much in common with the purchase. Therefore, they will be asked to mention applications to the court for the usage of Pegasus," said Trela.
Pegasus under the eye of the Sejm committee of inquiry
The Pegasus Investigative Commission was set up to analyse Legality, regularity and purpose actions utilizing this software by the government, peculiar services and police in 2015–2023. 1 of the main objectives of the committee is to find who was liable for buying Pegasus and akin tools for Polish authorities.
Pegasus is simply a spy strategy developed by the Israeli company NSO Group, which was originally intended to fight terrorism and organized crime. However, according to the findings of Canadian Citizen Lab, in Poland Pegasus was utilized for surveillance of opposition politicians. This strategy enables not only to eavesdrop calls, but besides access to data stored in the smartphone, specified as emails, photos, video recordings, and even camera and microphone control.
Why are Święczkowski and Kowalski's hearings crucial?
Bogdan Świętczkowski and Andrzej Kowalski are people who in the past held key functions in the Polish judiciary and peculiar services. Their evidence can shed fresh light on how and by whom Pegasus was utilized in Poland.
– They're not people who are about to research the purchasing sphere, due to the fact that they didn't have much in common with the purchase. Therefore, they will be asked to mention applications to the court for the usage of Pegasus," stressed Vice-President of the Commission, Tomasz Trela.
Pegasus and legal and ethical issues
The usage of Pegasus raises serious legal and ethical doubts. This system, although initially intended to fight crime, was utilized to surveillance of opposition politicians, which constitutes a violation of fundamental civilian rights.
The committee of enquiry is tasked not only to find who is liable for the acquisition and usage of Pegasus, but besides to measure whether these actions were lawful. The conclusions of the committee's work may have far-reaching consequences for those liable for the abuse of this system.
Summary
The hearings of Bogdan Święczkowski and Andrzej Kowalski by the Sejm Committee of Investigation for Pegasus is simply a key minute in the investigation into the usage of this controversial spy system. Their evidence can supply fresh information about how Pegasus was utilized in Poland and who is responsible.
In the context of reports of surveillance of opposition politicians, the work of the committee is of large importance for the future of Polish democracy and the protection of civilian rights. It is worth following further developments which may influence the form of Polish politics and justice.
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Parliamentary Committee of enquiry for Pegasus will interview neo-president neoTK and erstwhile Chief of Military Intelligence
