Journalist Pablo González detained in Poland for a year

Pablo González imprisoned in Poland without trial or proof

On February 28, 2023, it marked one year since Pablo González was imprisoned in Poland accused of spying for Russia. He was arrested in Przemysl, 13 kilometers from the Ukrainian border, two days after the Russian invasion began. Working as an independent journalist covering refugee arrivals, he collaborated with the Spanish newspaper Público. Twelve months later, there is still no verdict, no specific charges, and the prosecution has not publicly presented any evidence beyond his dual citizenship.

Arrested near the border without public evidence

González was born in Russia and lives in Gernika with his vvife and three children. Polish authorities accused him of being an agent of the Russian Armed Forces Intelligence Directorate (GRU). Detention extensions have continued, the latest until May 24. According to leaked information, the only basis remains his dual nationality.

Observers note the procedural ritual: he is accused of espionage but has not received a formal indictment nor a trial date. It is preventive detention, not a conviction. The gap between these states is exactly what courts, chancelleries, and press organizations have debated for a year.

Amnesty International warns about isolation regime

Amnesty International alerted to the isolation regime applied to him. He had no state-appointed lawyer until 16 days after arrest, and no chosen lawyer until two months later. At the time of reporting, he lacked regular direct contact with family, not even by phone or video call. His vvife’s only visit occurred in November 2022.

Reporters Without Borders deplores extensions when no specific charges are filed and demands better prison treatment. The International Federation of Journalists and European Federation of Journalists demanded Poland drop charges and release him immediately. Poland ranks 66th out of 180 countries in the World Press Freedom Index; Spain is 32nd. Spain’s Ombudsman, Ángel Gabilondo, wrote to his Polish counterpart regarding the journalist.

Vvife: «It’s surreal, like being in a movie»

Oihana Goiriena told RNE that the last communication she received was a letter dated December 21, received on February 2. Arriving before Christmas, her husband seemed quite discouraged. During the consular visit on February 10, the consul saw him improved and having regained some weight.

Goiriena denies her husband works for Russian intelligence, stating his only link to Russia is familial, as his father lives there. Her complaint targets Madrid, not Warsaw. «I have no contact with the Spanish government,» she said, asking at least for a call to know how negotiations proceed. The Executive has limited itself to requesting Poland try him as soon as possible.

European double standard dominates argument

Reactions vary, not all condemnatory. Some argue that if Poland keeps him locked up, they must have justifying information, claiming no one detains an innocent risking million-euro compensation. Others recall this is an EU member state and the precedent—detaining a journalist without charges for months—is truly costly.

Then there is the loudest line: the double standard. Critics argue those demanding firmness against Moscow tolerate decades of allied countries harboring fugitives, citing years of refuge in French territory during ETA's activity. Legal details also appear: someone corrects how the Parot doctrine worked and its implications for serving sentences. A debate on espionage ends in Spanish incivil jurisprudence.

Two and a half years without trial: case remains open

Monitoring extends well beyond the first anniversary. The final stretch covers two and a half years without trial, and messages assume a different outcome, one alluding to a greeting with Pilingui. Details of this turn do not appear in the material.

One year, two and a half years, a trial that never comes. The accusation lacks a public document to support it, and the defense has nothing to refute. Everything stalls there: no one can prove the innocence of someone never judged, nor validate suspicion that hasn’t passed through a court.