The crime of espionage in new terms, i.e. in light of amendment to the Criminal Code of 17 August 2023

Abstract

The study analysed the scope of changes in the criminalisation of the crime of espionage in Poland that took place with the amendment to the Criminal Code of 17 August 2023, as well as the systemic changes introduced by it in eight other laws, including the competency laws of all Polish special services. The amendments were introduced to increase the powers to combat this type of crime. The primary objective of the analysis was an attempt to answer the question of whether the scope of the changes introduced corresponds to the demands made by legal doctrine as well as practitioners involved in combating espionage in Poland, consequently adjusting the legal state to the current geopolitical situation, mainly related to aggressive non-military actions described in the doctrines of war. The analysis of the introduced changes was shown against the background of the legislative process of the indicated law, and especially the discussion that took place within its framework, without which a proper understanding of the changes would not be possible.