Poland Strips Judge of Immunity over Defection to Authoritarian Belarus

In response to the defection of Judge Tomasz Szmydt to Belarus, a country with ties to authoritarian Russia, Poland has taken decisive action. After Belarusian media reported that Szmydt had fled to Minsk and requested protection, politicians in Poland pledged to revoke his judicial privileges, remove him from his position, and initiate legal proceedings against him. Justice Minister Adam Bodnar stated that Szmydt’s loss of immunity will enable authorities to issue an international arrest warrant for him via Interpol, regardless of whether Belarus complies. Szmydt drew controversy in Poland due to his involvement in a smear campaign against fellow judges in 2019, funded by the previous right-wing administration’s Justice Ministry. According to Belarusian state media, Szmydt claimed that he left Poland because he disagreed with the new, pro-Western government’s policies. Deputy Justice Minister Arkadiusz Myrcha expressed concern about Szmydt’s rapid advancement under the prior administration and demanded an explanation for his access to confidential data. The departure of Szmydt caused consternation in Poland, where support for Ukraine in its struggle against Russian aggression is strong, and historical tensions with Russia persist. Poland’s prosecutorial department has begun an investigation, and Prime Minister Donald Tusk convened a meeting of intelligence agencies following Szmydt’s exodus.