Lieutenant General Jarosław Gromadziński was dismissed from the position of Eurocorps commander yesterday, but no reasons were given. The Military Counterintelligence Service, which is conducting surveillance proceedings against him, issued a statement on Thursday. The military officer said he had “nothing to reproach himself with.”
On Wednesday, the Ministry of National Defense announced that the Military Counterintelligence Service had initiated inspection proceedings “concerning the personal security clearance of Lieutenant General Jarosław Gromadziński in connection with obtaining new information about the officer.” “Therefore, a decision was made to dismiss Lt. Gen. Gromadziński from his position as Eurocorps commander and his immediate return to the country,” the Ministry of National Defense reported.
On Thursday, the SKW published a message on its website providing information about this type of inspection proceedings conducted by the SKW. “The Military Counterintelligence Service, acting pursuant to the provisions of the Act of August 5, 2010 on the protection of classified information, (…), initiates ex officio inspection proceedings in the event of obtaining new information indicating that a person with a valid security clearance does not guarantee maintaining secrecy,” we read.
As added, in the years 2021-2023, the SKW initiated approximately 150 inspection proceedings against soldiers, SKW officers and employees of the Ministry of National Defense.
Jarosław GromadzińskiDarek Delmanowicz/PAP
“The proceedings are two-instance”
The Military Counterintelligence Service also stated that the verification procedure within the basic deadline may last up to 6 months, and in particularly justified cases it may be extended once for another 6 months. “The proceedings are two-instance, which means that the person being checked may appeal against a negative decision of the Military Counterintelligence Service to the Prime Minister and is also subject to judicial and administrative control,” we read in the release.
“Currently, the Military Counterintelligence Service, also as a result of the audit of the activities of the Military Counterintelligence Service in 2015-2023 carried out in the first quarter of this year, guided by the protection of classified information, initiates inspection proceedings against persons within its jurisdiction, regardless of the official position held and degree,” it added.
Until now, commanding Eurocorps – a multinational military structure cooperating with the EU and NATO – General Gromadziński has held the position since June 2023, he was the first Polish officer in this position; previously, among others he commanded the 18th Mechanized Division, which was established in 2018, and also took part in the International Team for Assistance to Ukraine in Wiesbaden, Germany, where, together with the American military, he was responsible for training Ukrainian soldiers.
General Gromadziński: I have nothing to reproach myself with
On Wednesday evening, General Gromadziński issued a statement on this matter, which he published on social media.
“Referring to numerous comments and speculations related to the inspection proceedings initiated by the Military Counterintelligence Service regarding my personal security clearance, I would like to declare that throughout 34 years of professional military service, I have always put the good of the service and the good of the Homeland first, often at the expense of my family,” he wrote. X platform
“While serving in staff and command positions, at home and abroad, as well as cooperating with NATO allies, I have always represented the Polish soldier's uniform with dignity. I would like to assure you that I have nothing to reproach myself with. I believe that the inspection procedure initiated by the SKW will end positive for me. I would like to thank you very much for your words of support and encouragement in these difficult moments for me and my family,” added the military officer.
SKW is one of the military special services whose main task is to protect the state defense system, including the Polish Armed Forces, the Ministry of National Defense and other units, against internal threats, including, for example, the activities of foreign intelligence services. The head of the Military Counterintelligence Service reports primarily to the Minister of National Defense, and in certain areas also directly to the Prime Minister and the minister coordinator of secret services. Its activities are also subject to control by the Sejm. From December 2023, the head of the SKW is General Jarosław Stróżyk, and his deputy is Colonel Krzysztof Dusza.
Main photo source: Darek Delmanowicz/PAP