The court has set a new session for 25 February 2026, following a request from prosecutors to notify the accused.
Judge Anna Ptaszek confirmed there was no proof Rubcow had received the summons and said he is likely still in Russia.
Under Polish law, anyone charged with a criminal offence must attend at least one hearing to hear the indictment and indicate whether they plead guilty or wish to provide a statement.
Rubcow was arrested by Poland’s Internal Security Agency (ABW) on 28 February 2022 at the Polish-Ukrainian border and was held in detention from 2 March 2022 until 31 July 2024.
On 1 August 2024, as part of a prisoner swap between Russia and Western countries in Ankara, he was transferred to Russian authorities - almost “for free,” according to Polish reports.
According to the indictment, Rubcow, who worked for the Russian military intelligence service GRU and posed as a Spanish journalist, provided information from April 2016 to February 2022 that could have harmed Poland, including its interests as a NATO member.
His activities reportedly included gathering and passing on intelligence, spreading disinformation, and conducting operational reconnaissance.
The indictment was prepared by prosecutors from the Lublin branch of the Polish National Prosecutor’s Office dealing with organised crime and corruption.
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Source: IAR/PAP