Zbigniew Ziobro Faces Pegasus Committee Inquiry

The news in Polish

1. przesłuchiwać
   prowadzić pytania lub rozmowę w celu uzyskania informacji, zazwyczaj w kontekście oficjalnym ↩︎
2. komisja  (f.)
   grupa osób, która została powołana do wykonania określonego zadania lub zbadania jakiejś sprawy ↩︎
3. przeciwnik  (m.)
   osoba lub grupa, która jest przeciwna lub w opozycji do czegoś lub kogoś ↩︎
4. polityczny
   związany z działalnością rządową, sprawowaniem władzy lub zarządzaniem państwem ↩︎
5. podejście  (n.)
   sposób, w jaki ktoś postrzega lub podchodzi do jakiejś sytuacji czy problemu ↩︎
6. bezpieczeństwo  (n.)
   stan chronienia przed zagrożeniem, niebezpieczeństwem lub ryzykiem ↩︎

Translation

Text comprehension

Question 1: What does Zbigniew Ziobro claim about the use of Pegasus?

Question 2: Who expressed criticism towards Ziobro’s approach?

Vocabulary

Polish	English
przesłuchiwać	interrogate
komisja  (f.)	commission
przeciwnik  (m.)	opponent
polityczny	political
podejście  (n.)	approach
bezpieczeństwo  (n.)	security

Read the full story

Zbigniew Ziobro, the former Polish Justice Minister, appeared before a parliamentary committee concerning the controversial use of the Pegasus surveillance software. His testimony drew diverse opinions and reactions from political figures and observers in Poland.

The inquiry centres on allegations that Pegasus was predominantly used against political adversaries rather than for genuine security threats. During the session, Tomasz Siemoniak, a critic of Ziobro, commented that despite nearly two decades, Ziobro’s approach remains unchanged, suggesting he believes “the end justifies the means.” Siemoniak argued that using Pegasus was politically motivated with few links to espionage threats.

Meanwhile, Witold Zembaczyński, an opposition committee member, criticized Ziobro’s evasion tactics. He argued that Ziobro’s reluctance to appear likened to “sabotaging parliamentary processes,” stating that such actions reflect poorly on the Polish state’s structural integrity. Zembaczyński further claimed that the committee was ready to hold Ziobro accountable despite obstacles.

During the hearings, Ziobro refuted the committee’s legitimacy, backing his stance by referencing a Constitutional Tribunal ruling which deemed the committee illegal. He asserted that the acquisition of Pegasus was justified for tackling severe crimes, even expressing pride in Poland’s involvement in the tool’s acquisition.

He highlighted cases such as the apprehension of Sławomir Nowak in 2020, asserting that Pegasus played a role. Ziobro also objected to the notion that its use was primarily political.

A tense confrontation emerged when Ziobro clashed with committee leaders over their conduct, accusing them of engaging in propaganda. The committee’s chair dismissed these claims, maintaining that the inquiry’s intent is nonpartisan.

Ziobro’s appearance has stirred political discourse, with debates focusing on the balance between state security measures and the abuse of surveillance technologies. The broader implications on political accountability and security policy continue to unfold.

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