The Krakow District Court has initiated the trial of two Russian nationals, Andrei G. and Aleksei T., who allegedly worked for the Wagner Group to distribute flyers in Krakow, Poland, encouraging enlistment in the organization, reports the Kyiv Indenpendent.
They are facing charges related to foreign intelligence activities and involvement with an international armed group intending to commit acts of terrorism.
Arrested by Poland's Internal Security Agency in August 2023, the men could face up to 10 years in prison if convicted.
In addition to Krakow, they reportedly distributed flyers in other European cities, including Berlin and Paris, promoting the Wagner Group with stickers featuring QR codes for recruitment.
In court, one defendant explained, "We received the Wagner Group flyers in Moscow. Our task was to distribute 3,000 flyers in Krakow and Warsaw, but we only managed to post 200.
I didn’t want to be part of the propaganda; I was just looking to earn some money."
The Wagner Group has been pivotal in Russia's invasion of Ukraine, notably leading the assault in the Battle of Bakhmut in spring 2023.
Its former leader, Yevgeny Prigozhin, died in a mysterious plane crash on August 23, 2023, shortly after leading a brief mutiny against the Kremlin.
Following Prigozhin's death, the mercenary group has become fragmented, operating in Belarus and various African nations friendly to Russia.
