Poland’s chief prosecutor said the previous government used spyware against hundreds of people

Poland’s chief prosecutor told parliament today that Pegasus spyware was used against hundreds of people during the administration of Poland’s previous government, the Associated Press reported.

Adam Bodnar told MPs he found the surveillance “shocking and depressing”. “It’s sad for me that even in this chamber I’m talking to people who have been victims of this system,” Bodnar told the Sejm, the lower house of parliament.

Bodnar, who is also the Minister of Justice, did not specify who exactly was the subject of surveillance by the spy program. He presented information that the Prosecutor General’s Office sent last week to the Diet and the Senate.

The data showed Pegasus was used in the cases of 578 people from 2017 to 2022 and was used by three government agencies.

Bodnar said the software generated a huge amount of information about the “personal and professional lives” of those placed under surveillance.

The Israeli Pegasus software is considered a tool to fight criminals and terrorists. However, evidence has emerged that some governments have used it against political opponents, journalists and human rights activists.

The software gives full access to the monitored mobile device, allowing the leakage of passwords, photos, messages, contacts and web browsing history and enabling the microphone and camera for real-time eavesdropping.

Its use in Poland under the previous government led by the Law and Justice party led to accusations that the authorities were abusing power and undermining democratic guarantees.

Investigations into its use began after Prime Minister Donald Tusk took office in December.

“The use of “Pegasus” during these few years has poisoned the essence of democracy in Poland,” said an MP from Tusk’s coalition.

Last month, Jaroslaw Kaczynski, head of Law and Justice, said during his testimony to the investigative commission that “the use of Pegasus was in accordance with the law” and that in 99% of cases it was used against criminals .