Poland will launch a formal investigation into possible links between the late financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and Russian intelligence services, as well as the possible consequences for the Polish state. This was stated by Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk during a government meeting on Tuesday, quoted by "Reuters".
The reason for the decision is the recent publication by the US Department of Justice of millions of internal documents related to the "Epstein" case. The materials reveal the financier's contacts with numerous influential figures in politics, finance, academia and business - both before and after he pleaded guilty in 2008 to charges related to prostitution.
Tusk announced that the Polish authorities would create a special team to analyze whether Epstein's crimes had an impact on Poland and, in particular, whether there was a possible involvement of Russian special services. According to him, more and more data and comments are appearing in the international media that point to suspicions that "this unprecedented pedophilia scandal was co-organized by Russian intelligence".
"I don't need to explain how serious the increasingly likely possibility that Russian intelligence services co-organized such an operation is for the security of the Polish state. This would mean that they also have compromising materials against many leaders who are still active today," the Polish prime minister stressed.
So far, the Russian Foreign Ministry has not responded to a written request for comment on Tusk's allegations, nor has the Russian embassy in Warsaw responded to journalistic questions.
In December, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova commented on the published materials on the "Epstein" case, stating that they show "the hypocrisy of Western elites". According to her, the documents show "all Western life teachers" who teach Russia about democracy and human rights while leading their own double lives.".
The investigation in Poland is just beginning, and Warsaw is giving a signal that it is considering the case not only as a criminal scandal, but also as a matter of national security.