Polish security services meet after 'deadly serious' threat to PM and defence minister

On October 11, Poland's security services convened an emergency meeting following reports of a potential threat against Prime Minister Donald Tusk and Defence Minister Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz. Jacek Dobrzynski, a spokesperson for the special services, confirmed the gravity of the situation, stating that authorities were treating the threat as "deadly serious."

An email containing crucial information about the potential attack was reportedly forwarded to the police by the State Protection Service, which is tasked with safeguarding ministers' security. Poland, while experiencing relatively low violent crime rates, has been grappling with deep political polarization and security concerns due to its close proximity to the conflict in Ukraine.

In August, a 23-year-old man was apprehended for allegedly advocating for the assassination of prominent Polish politicians. In 2024, Tusk himself had expressed concerns about receiving threats after an assassination attempt on Slovakia's Prime Minister, Robert Fico.