Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk speaks alongside Defence Minister Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz in Poland.
Poland
Poland Holds Emergency Security Meeting Over ‘Deadly Serious’ Threat to Prime Minister, Defence Minister
Polish security services investigate threats against Prime Minister Donald Tusk and Defence Minister Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz.
WARSAW: Polish security services convened a special meeting on Sunday after receiving information about a potential attack targeting Prime Minister Donald Tusk and Defence Minister Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz, raising concerns over the safety of the country’s senior political leadership.
Jacek Dobrzynski, spokesperson for Poland’s special services, confirmed that officials were assessing the information but declined to disclose further details. He said authorities were treating the threat as “deadly serious” and warned that the possibility of the attack being carried out was significant.
“We are talking about a high probability of these threats being carried out,” Dobrzynski told reporters.
Karolina Galecka, a spokesperson for the Interior Ministry, said an email containing information about the potential attack had been forwarded to police by the State Protection Service, the agency responsible for protecting ministers and other senior government officials.
Authorities have not publicly disclosed the precise nature of the alleged threat, identified any suspected perpetrators or confirmed whether arrests have been made in connection with the latest incident. Further details about the investigation and any changes to the officials’ security arrangements were not immediately available.
The reported threat comes as Poland faces a politically polarised domestic environment and heightened security concerns linked to its geographical proximity to the war in neighbouring Ukraine. Although violent crime is relatively uncommon in the country, security agencies continue to monitor potential threats against political figures and public institutions.
The latest incident has drawn attention to the security challenges confronting European governments as they seek to protect elected leaders amid concerns about politically motivated violence. However, Polish authorities have not established any connection between the reported threat and the war in Ukraine.
The incident follows other cases involving threats against Poland’s political leadership. In August, police detained a 23-year-old man accused of calling for the assassination of senior Polish politicians, highlighting concerns over threats directed at public officials amid the country’s political divisions.
Tusk also said in 2024 that he had received threats following an assassination attempt against Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico.
Jacek Dobrzynski, spokesperson for Poland’s special services, confirmed that officials were assessing the information but declined to disclose further details. He said authorities were treating the threat as “deadly serious” and warned that the possibility of the attack being carried out was significant.
“We are talking about a high probability of these threats being carried out,” Dobrzynski told reporters.
Karolina Galecka, a spokesperson for the Interior Ministry, said an email containing information about the potential attack had been forwarded to police by the State Protection Service, the agency responsible for protecting ministers and other senior government officials.
Authorities have not publicly disclosed the precise nature of the alleged threat, identified any suspected perpetrators or confirmed whether arrests have been made in connection with the latest incident. Further details about the investigation and any changes to the officials’ security arrangements were not immediately available.
The reported threat comes as Poland faces a politically polarised domestic environment and heightened security concerns linked to its geographical proximity to the war in neighbouring Ukraine. Although violent crime is relatively uncommon in the country, security agencies continue to monitor potential threats against political figures and public institutions.
The latest incident has drawn attention to the security challenges confronting European governments as they seek to protect elected leaders amid concerns about politically motivated violence. However, Polish authorities have not established any connection between the reported threat and the war in Ukraine.
The incident follows other cases involving threats against Poland’s political leadership. In August, police detained a 23-year-old man accused of calling for the assassination of senior Polish politicians, highlighting concerns over threats directed at public officials amid the country’s political divisions.
Tusk also said in 2024 that he had received threats following an assassination attempt against Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico.
Fico was shot in May that year, in an attack that shocked Europe and renewed concerns about political violence against elected leaders.
Polish security services are continuing to assess the information received about the potential attack. The State Protection Service, which is responsible for the security of senior officials, and the police are involved in handling the reported threat.
Officials have withheld operational details, citing the sensitive nature of the matter. It remains unclear whether the information points to a specific plot, who may be responsible or whether the reported threat has prompted additional protective measures for the prime minister and defence minister.
The investigation will focus on establishing the credibility and origin of the information and determining whether it represents a concrete security risk. Authorities have not publicly confirmed that an attack is imminent or that a specific plot has been established.
The development underscores the continuing security concerns surrounding political leaders in Poland, where officials face the dual challenge of managing domestic political tensions and responding to a changing regional security environment.
Polish security services are continuing to assess the information received about the potential attack. The State Protection Service, which is responsible for the security of senior officials, and the police are involved in handling the reported threat.
Officials have withheld operational details, citing the sensitive nature of the matter. It remains unclear whether the information points to a specific plot, who may be responsible or whether the reported threat has prompted additional protective measures for the prime minister and defence minister.
The investigation will focus on establishing the credibility and origin of the information and determining whether it represents a concrete security risk. Authorities have not publicly confirmed that an attack is imminent or that a specific plot has been established.
The development underscores the continuing security concerns surrounding political leaders in Poland, where officials face the dual challenge of managing domestic political tensions and responding to a changing regional security environment.
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