A freelance journalist from Spain is spending his 10th week in Polish custody while prosecutors there investigate what they claim is a case of espionage linked to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
In a case that raises red flags about press freedom in Europe at a time of war, prosecutors are expected next week to ask a judge for a further three-month extension to the detention of Pablo González, who has freelanced for media including Spain’s La Sexta TV channel, Spanish state news agency EFE and the US-government funded Voice of America.
The prosecutors’ request must be filed before 15 May, two weeks before his current three-month detention order expires. Under Polish law, González can be held in custody until he is put on trial, a process lawyers say could easily take more than a year.
Polish officials claim he is an agent of Russia’s infamous GRU military intelligence.
Friends and family claim the allegations are absurd and have demanded González be tried or freed immediately. “I have no doubt he is not a spy,” said Juan Teixeira, a Spanish journalist who has travelled with him to many countries over a dozen years.
Credit: theguardian.com
