Tusk told public broadcaster TVP Info that the surveillance system had been used “maliciously” and “deliberately,” alleging ordinary criminal probes were cited to mask political motives. He said targets included opposition politicians and journalists.
He linked his family’s involvement to conversations with lawyer Roman Giertych, who represented him during his time as European Council president.
“Both have been questioned as witnesses with the possibility of obtaining victim status,” Tusk said, adding the surveillance of his family is “a matter of knowledge, not belief.”
The prime minister urged focus on other potential victims who lack his resources. He also said the current government is not pressuring prosecutors and that the National Prosecutor’s Office alone will decide what to disclose.
A special investigative team at the National Prosecutor’s Office is examining whether public officials exceeded their powers or breached duties when using Pegasus, including questions of legality, necessity, purpose and proportionality, as well as any unlawful actions aimed at using the tool for reasons other than crime prevention or detection.
Tusk said surveillance also extended to figures within the former ruling camp, naming former justice minister Zbigniew Ziobro and saying it would not be surprising if politicians from conservative opposition party Law and Justice (PiS) were on lists of those monitored.
Earlier disclosures by the University of Toronto’s Citizen Lab indicated Pegasus was used against several public figures, including lawyer and current lawmaker Roman Giertych, prosecutor Ewa Wrzosek, then-senator Krzysztof Brejza (now an MEP) and AgroUnia leader Michał Kołodziejczak.
Public reports have also suggested prominent PiS politicians were among those surveilled.
(jh)
Source: PAP