Poland arrests suspected Belarusian spy accused of NATO infrastructure espionage

On or around early February 2026, Polish authorities arrested a 41-year-old Belarusian citizen on suspicion of espionage. The suspect allegedly collected intelligence since June 2024 in Poland, Germany, and Lithuania, focusing on critical infrastructure and military sites crucial for Poland's and NATO's defense. His activities in Germany reportedly were concentrated in the northern region, where he stayed only a few days. Polish, German, and Lithuanian agencies cooperated on the investigation. The Polish prosecutor's office has formally charged him, and upon conviction, he faces a minimum five-year prison sentence. No official comment was initially provided by the Belarusian embassy in Warsaw. The incident occurs amidst strained Poland-Belarus relations due to Belarus's alliance with Russia since the start of the Russian invasion of Ukraine nearly four years ago, with Poland supporting Ukraine politically and militarily.