Tusk said the previous Law and Justice government paid 30 million zloty [$7.65M] for Pegasus from NSO Group and used it to surveil 578 people from 2017-2022, including opposition politicians and members of the legal system. He called it one of the biggest scandals since the fall of communism.
"The people responsible for the justice system handed sensitive data on Polish citizens to a foreign country, Israel, without having any control over it," Tusk said after a two-year parliamentary investigation.
What exactly happened?
A parliamentary commission found that components of Pegasus remained under NSO Group's control and Polish authorities lacked access permissions to parts of the system. Some data passed through servers outside Poland. Courts approving surveillance were not told the tool's full capabilities, including its ability to access entire phones.
The investigation, led by chair Magdalena Sroka, named several institutions involved: Internal Security Agency (ABW), Military Counterintelligence (SKW), Central Anti-Corruption Bureau (CBA), and Justice Ministry.
The National Prosecutor's Office says Pegasus "did not have the required IT security accreditation" and was used "despite being aware of the risk of compromising" activities classified as secret or top-secret.
Whi was spied on ?
Prosecutor General Adam Bodnar told parliament the software generated "enormous knowledge" about private and professional lives. Confirmed victims include:
- Senator Krzysztof Brejza - opposition figure in 2019 election, his texts were hacked and doctored then leaked
- Prosecutor Ewa Wrzosek and lawyer Roman Giertych - critics of judicial reforms
- Current PM Donald Tusk and MEPs - targeted before 2023 power change
- Nearly 600 people total: 6 in 2017, 100 in 2018, 140 in 2019, 161 in 2020, 162 in 2021
Who faces charges?
Seven former officials face charges so far:
1-2. Former ABW head Piotr P. and ex-SKW chief Maciej Materka - each faces up to 3 years for failing official duties by using uncertified software
3. Former Deputy Justice Minister Michal Wos - up to 10 years for authorizing $6.9M transfer from crime victims fund to buy Pegasus
4-7. Former Justice Minister Zbigniew Ziobro and deputies including Marcin Romanowski - face up to 25 years for abuse of power, misappropriation of 107M zloty, and organized criminal group charges. Ziobro was arrested at Warsaw airport after refusing to testify
Ziobro admitted: "Pegasus served to pursue criminals, not political opponents."
Why is foreign access so dangerous?
Pegasus turns phones into spies - photos, passwords, call logs, messages, location, microphone and camera - all covertly. If NSO retained remote access, it means sensitive data on Polish politicians, lawyers, prosecutors passed through Israeli-controlled infrastructure without Polish security clearance.
Tusk said this violates sovereignty. NSO has not commented on today's accusation.
FAQ
Did Poland use Pegasus to spy on politicians?
Yes. Prosecutor General confirmed 578 people targeted from 2017-2022 by three agencies. Opposition politicians, journalists and lawyers were targeted, not just criminals.
Did Isreal have access to Polish Pegasus data?
According to PM Donald Tusk on Oct 12, 2026, yes. He said data collected by Pegasus was accessible to its Israeli manufacturer NSO Group and not fully under Polish government control, with some components outside Poland.
Who faces charges in Poland Pegasus scandal?
At least 7 former officials: ex-intel chiefs Piotr P. and Maciej Materka, former deputy justice minister Michal Wos, former justice minister Zbigniew Ziobro, and ex-deputy Marcin Romanowski plus others. Charges include abuse of power and misusing Justice Fund.
How much did Poland pay for Pegasus?
30 million zloty (∼$7.65 million) from Justice Fund meant for crime victims, transferred in 2017 to Central Anti-Corruption Bureau.
How does Pegasus spyware work?
NSO Group's Pegasus infiltrates iPhone and Android, harvests all data and controls microphone/camera without user knowledge. Sold to governments for counter-terrorism but widely abused.
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