EU chief Tusk to testify in Polish intelligence probe April 19April 19, 2017 - 12:57 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - European Council President Donald Tusk is due to testify in Warsaw on Wednesday, April 19 as a witness in an investigation into military intelligence that critics say is an attempt by Poland's right-wing government to discredit former Prime Minister Tusk, Reuters says. Tusk is the ex-leader of Poland's largest opposition party, Civic Platform (PO), and arch-rival of Jaroslaw Kaczynski, head of the ruling Law and Justice (PiS) party that has brought prosecutors under direct government control. Tusk has been summoned to testify in an investigation against former heads of military counter-intelligence (SKW) suspected of co-operating with foreign intelligence services without the required authorization of the prime minister, whom Tusk was at the time. "Donald Tusk is being dragged into this investigation for political reasons with the aim of humiliating him," Civic Platform lawmaker Jan Grabiec told Reuters. A former SKW head has told media that Tusk was fully aware of secret services' co-operation with Russia and had authorized it. The initial summons was for March 15, but Tusk could not take part due to prior engagements in the European Parliament. His plenipotentiary, Roman Giertych, said earlier in April prosecutors had threatened twice to use physical force against Tusk to bring him to the hearing despite his EU immunity. The euroskeptic PiS party, which defeated PO in a 2015 election, has been accused by the EU's executive arm, the European Commission, of undermining rule of law and democracy following the party's overhaul of the constitutional court. Kaczynski, 67, holds no government post but is seen as Poland's main decision-maker. He had said Tusk should not be reappointed because he may face charges in Poland related to a 2010 plane crash that killed the Polish president - Kaczynski's twin brother Lech - and a Ponzi scheme. Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | The Power of One Dram to benefit Road of Life charity The companies inform that the May beneficiary of The Power of One Dram is the “Road of Life” charitable organization. Ucom General Director gives lecture at French University in Armenia The General Director of Ucom Ralph Yirikian delivered a lecture at the French University of Armenia. Kazakhstan welcomes Yerevan, Baku’s agreement to meet in Almaty Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has welcomed the agreement of Baku and Yerevan to hold negotiations in Almaty. Armenia offers to temporarily host, preserve Gaza manuscripts The Armenian Foreign Minister has said Yerevan is ready to help preserve manuscripts from the conflict zone in Gaza. |