Czech security services contact Poland after threats against leaders

Czech security and intelligence services are in contact with their Polish counterparts following reports of possible attacks targeting Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk and Defense Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz, the Czech Foreign Ministry said Sunday.

Foreign Minister Petr Macinka assured his Polish counterpart, Radosław Sikorski, of Czechia’s full solidarity. The ministry said Czechia was ready to provide any necessary cooperation.

Polish authorities subsequently announced that police had detained a man suspected of threatening and planning an attack on Tusk. Interior Minister Marcin Kierwiński did not disclose the suspect’s identity or details of the alleged plan, Reuters reported. reuters.com

“We are deeply concerned by reports of threats against Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk and Defense Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz,” the Czech Foreign Ministry said in its statement on X.

It condemned threats and violence directed at democratically elected representatives and confirmed that Czech security agencies were communicating with their partners.

The statement did not specify what assistance Czechia might provide or identify a threat against Czech officials.

Polish government spokesman Adam Szłapka described the warning as more concerning than previous threats. According to Polish authorities, information about the potential attack arrived by email.

The State Protection Service, responsible for protecting senior officials, forwarded the information to police. Poland’s protective service, counterintelligence agency and police were involved in responding to the warning.

Tusk remained in Warsaw carrying out his duties. Following the detention, he thanked police for their swift and decisive action.

Poland has been on heightened alert following a series of violent incidents at schools, including an attack Thursday that killed a school caretaker.

The country also faces wider security concerns linked to Russia’s war against Ukraine. In September, Tusk warned that Moscow could intensify hybrid attacks against NATO’s eastern flank, including possible drone or missile attacks intended to weaken Western support for Kyiv. Russia denied those allegations.

Authorities have not publicly established a connection between the threats against Polish officials and Russia, or between the alleged plot and the school attacks. The suspect’s motive and the details of the alleged preparations remain undisclosed.

For Czechia, Sunday’s announcement confirms security cooperation with its neighbor and a diplomatic offer of support. Further information about the alleged plot will depend on the Polish investigation.