Polish prosecutors have formally indicted a Russian-Spanish man on espionage charges. The individual, known as Pavel Rubtsov or Pablo González, was arrested in Przemysl, Poland, on Feb. 28, 2022, shortly after Russia's invasion of Ukraine. He had been posing as a Spanish freelance journalist and was sending reports to Spanish media outlets while residing in Poland since 2019.
Rubtsov, also known as González, was released from Polish detention on Aug. 1 as part of a prisoner swap between Russia and the West. Following his departure from Poland, he was indicted on espionage charges by the national prosecutor's office in Warsaw. The indictment was filed on Aug. 9 in the District Court in Przemysl.
The accused, identified as Pablo G. Y. and Pavel R., is facing charges related to espionage activities conducted between April 2016 and February 2022 in Przemysl, Warsaw, and other locations. The alleged offenses include providing information to Russian military intelligence that could potentially harm Poland as a NATO member state. The indictment specifies that Rubtsov's actions involved spreading disinformation and conducting operational reconnaissance.
The defendant, who could face a prison term of three to 15 years if convicted, is suspected of being a GRU agent. While it remains unclear whether Rubtsov will be tried in absentia, investigations are ongoing into other individuals linked to the case, including a woman identified as Magdalena Ch., believed to be Rubtsov's ex-girlfriend.
Reports suggest that Rubtsov had connections with Russian dissidents abroad and separatist movements in Basque and Catalan regions, suspected of having ties to the Kremlin. The case has raised concerns about foreign espionage activities and their potential impact on national security.
Upon his arrival in Moscow, Rubtsov, now back in Russia, was greeted by President Vladimir Putin. The legal proceedings against him in Poland shed light on the complex nature of international espionage and the challenges posed by individuals operating under nonofficial cover.
