WARSAW -- Polish officials have revealed that a Russian citizen was arrested in Warsaw and charged with spying for Russia, RFE/RL's Russian Service reports.
The Polish Internal Security Agency discovered equipment for encrypting messages at his house during the arrest, Polish media reported.
The arrest took place in spring 2009 but was only made public on January 6.
News of his detention was known only by the president's office, the prime minister, and the prosecutor's office.
The unnamed suspect has reportedly lived in Poland for 10 years, speaks fluent Polish, and had a business selling accessories for hunting rifles.
He was reportedly under longstanding surveillance by the Polish security service.
Several security service officers were given awards by the Polish President Lech Kaczynski for the successful operation in apprehending the man.
According to reports, the spy did not contact the Russian Embassy in Warsaw, and was receiving his orders directly from the Russian Defense Ministry's Main Intelligence Directorate (GRU).
The prosecutor's office in Warsaw confirmed that the man is in pretrial detention.
Some media outlets reported that his arrest may have caused the dismissal of GRU head General Valentin Korabelnikov in April.
Some analysts said the activity of Russian spies intensified in Poland after the announcement by the administration of U.S. President George W. Bush in 2005 of plans to deploy the American antimissile shield on Polish territory.
Poland also expelled 10 Russian diplomats in 2000, reportedly for spying activity.
The Polish Internal Security Agency discovered equipment for encrypting messages at his house during the arrest, Polish media reported.
The arrest took place in spring 2009 but was only made public on January 6.
News of his detention was known only by the president's office, the prime minister, and the prosecutor's office.
The unnamed suspect has reportedly lived in Poland for 10 years, speaks fluent Polish, and had a business selling accessories for hunting rifles.
He was reportedly under longstanding surveillance by the Polish security service.
Several security service officers were given awards by the Polish President Lech Kaczynski for the successful operation in apprehending the man.
According to reports, the spy did not contact the Russian Embassy in Warsaw, and was receiving his orders directly from the Russian Defense Ministry's Main Intelligence Directorate (GRU).
The prosecutor's office in Warsaw confirmed that the man is in pretrial detention.
Some media outlets reported that his arrest may have caused the dismissal of GRU head General Valentin Korabelnikov in April.
Some analysts said the activity of Russian spies intensified in Poland after the announcement by the administration of U.S. President George W. Bush in 2005 of plans to deploy the American antimissile shield on Polish territory.
Poland also expelled 10 Russian diplomats in 2000, reportedly for spying activity.