Poland launches task force to investigate recruitment network
London: A special task force will be established in Poland to investigate a “scout” network that recruited girls from across Europe for Jeffrey Epstein; Among them is one person who told him there was a dancer from Queensland.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said the investigation would also examine potential ties between Epstein and Russian spy agencies. He collected inappropriate material about people he could blackmail.
The move comes after former British cabinet minister Peter Mandelson resigned from the House of Lords ahead of a police investigation into documents suggesting he sent classified government information to Epstein.
While the British scandal highlighted Epstein’s ties to powerful business and political figures, the investigation in Poland is focusing on young women who were pulled into the network and abused.
New documents released by the US Department of Justice last Friday include messages from Epstein’s employees providing information about young models or dancers they could recruit for him.
Tusk announced the task force at a cabinet meeting on Tuesday.
“We cannot allow any case of the abuse of Polish children by Mr. Epstein, a network of pedophiles and the organizer of this evil circle, to be taken lightly or ignored,” he said.
“The first information has emerged about people from Krakow who reported to Mr. Epstein that there was already a group of Polish women or girls.
“We have decided to establish an analytical team and possibly launch an investigation if our concerns about the pedophilia scandal in the United States are confirmed.”
Tusk said in his post on X: “There is a special place in hell for those who participated in this, those who remained silent and those who tried to hide it.”
The Polish task force is the first national investigation into Epstein outside the United States and follows the release of thousands of emails revealing more information about how he sought out young women and girls.
In one example In June 2017, Epstein told a contact to send a “full body photo” and passport information of a woman they were seeing, according to new documents.
“He’s really skinny now, I’ll make Polaroids,” said former fashion photographer Daniel Siad.
“Does he want to come to Paris in the sun?” Epstein replied.
“I will invite,” Siad replied.
“So good, her breasts are terrible. They will need to be redone,” Epstein wrote.
In an email in February 2012One person, whose name has been redacted, sent Epstein a video file with the subject “Australia” and the question: “Hmm?”
Epstein responded: “Nudites only.”
Siad is described in Justice Department documents as a “scout” or recruiter of the girls. He was known to French modeling agent Jean Luc Brunel, who had ties to Epstein, and was charged with rape and trafficking of minors in 2020. Brunel found hanged in prison cell In Paris in February 2022.
In an email in June 2011Siad told Epstein about an Australian dancer who might move to the US to see the financier.
“Dancer in Moulin Rouge, modeled in Queens Land, Australia [sic]Epstein’s response is not included in the document.
The emails between Siad and Epstein span the period between at least 2009 and 2019, when the financier died in prison.
in May 2009Said told Epstein there were girls waiting in places like Poland. He said he was going to Krakow and wanted to visit Slovakia and Hungary.
During one of their last meetings in April 2019, Epstein asked Siad to contact him in Havana.
Tusk said the goal of the task force was to investigate every connection to Poland and ensure justice for the victims, but he also raised the idea that Epstein had ties to Russian spy agencies such as the KGB.
“More and more commentators and experts are assuming that it is very likely that this was a so-called honey trap operation prepared by the Russian KGB,” Tusk said.
British journalist Andrew Marr noted the way Epstein recruited young Russian girls and frequently referenced Russian President Vladimir Putin. He also noted how Epstein collected indecent photos of business and political leaders.
“Doesn’t it at least make you wonder about the possibility of a KGB operation big enough to ensnare former presidents, prime ministers, and leaders of some of the world’s most powerful corporations?” he said.
Tusk referenced Marr’s comments in its announcement about the new task force.
what happened Part of Epstein’s world At one point in time, they included former US president Bill Clinton, former Israeli prime minister Ehud Barak, Microsoft founder Bill Gates and Google co-founder Sergey Brin, who agreed to testify in the US Congressional investigation.
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David Crowe is the European correspondent for The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age.Connect with: X or email.
