Poland’s Internal Security Agency foils plot to blow up Parliament

 

Poland’s Internal Security Agency (ABW) announced that it arrested a man suspected of planning to blow up the Polish government.

“A 45-year-old man from Krakow, an employee of its Agricultural University, planned to attack the Sejm [Poland's Lower House of Parliament] at a time when the President, Prime Minister and other ministers would be present,” the general prosecutors office told Polish news station TVN24.

The individual is accused of preparing explosive materials to blow up Parliament buildings and the government inside during the upcoming budget vote. At this time the Parliament would contain the whole government including Prime Minister Donald Tusk and the President Bronislaw Komorowski.

According to unofficial press reports, Brunon K planned to ram the entry barrier to the Parliamentary complex to get as near to the actual Sejm building as possible, before detonating the bomb.

The general prosecutors office admitted that the individual recruited two other men, and the group had carried out test detonations. Explosives were found in various locations across Poland. Most of the materials required by the terrorists were ordered and have not yet arrived.

Brunon K’s actions are said to be based on nationalist, xenophobic and antisemitic ideals. His cohorts are both arms collectors. They were found to be in possession of illegal fire arms. One was released immediately and the other admitted to the possession of fire arms and was also later freed. Both remain under police surveillance.

The general prosecutors office announced that Brunon K may have been acting under the influence of others, according to TVN24.

The individual was apprehended on November 9. A spokesperson told TVN24  that “everything is under control, there is no danger.”

“Revealing operational details so soon may be due to political factors and is not necessarily advantageous to the investigation,” an expert connected with the security services told CEEInsight.

Minor opposition party, United Poland, has called for an investigation as to whether the danger to Parliament was real or blown up as a means to increase public sympathy for the Civic Platform (PO) led government.

The incident has raised serious doubts as to the security of the buildings which house the government. Experts argue that they have repeatedly voiced concerns that security in Parliament is weak.

“There are no barriers, just light turnpikes on entry and exit, without any fencing from Wiejska street,” personal security and counter terrorism expert, who asked to remain anonymous, told CEEInsight.

“The Government Protection Bureau and Sejm Police have been trying to get security systems to be improved for years. I admit immodestly, that for the last two years, I have often suggested the construction of appropriate fencing and detectors [at Wiejska street],” the source added.