Communist Era Informant’s Shocking Betrayal Exposed
Actor’s Double Life: Secretly Aiding State Security
Declassified records reveal a startling history of collaboration between prominent Polish cultural figures and the communist-era Security Service (SB). Beyond many actors and journalists caught in compromising situations, the case of **Roch Siemianowski** stands out, driven by financial incentives.
“Szczęsny” — The Informant
From 1972, **Roch Siemianowski** allegedly operated under the codename “Szczęsny,” participating in the “Nest” operation. This initiative targeted students involved in anti-communist movements. His reported activities encompassed monitoring prominent figures in the arts and opposition.
Targets Included Cultural Elite and Dissidents
The documents indicate that **Siemianowski** provided intelligence on a wide array of individuals. This included acclaimed actors such as **Tadeusz Łomnicki**, **Krzysztof Kolberger**, **Zygmunt Hübner**, **Adam Hanuszkiewicz**, **Krystyna Janda**, **Anna Romantowska**, **Anna Chodakowska**, **Paweł Wawrzecki**, **Małgorzata Rożniatowska**, **Marek Perepeczko**, and **Andrzej Seweryn**. Musicians like **Jacek Kleyff** and **Maciej Zembaty**, journalist **Bogusław Kaczyński**, and cabaret artist **Stanisław Tym** were also among his targets.
Furthermore, **Siemianowski**’s reports extended to prominent opposition figures of the 1970s, including **Adam Michnik**, **Jacek Kuron**, **Sewerynie Blumsztajna**, **Antoni Macierewicz**, and **Leszek Moczulski**, highlighting the broad scope of his surveillance.
Financial Motives Drove Collaboration
While many collaborators acted under duress, information suggests **Siemianowski**’s involvement was rooted in financial necessity. An assessment described him as “unscrupulously moral.” Another report from Salon24.pl indicated a “wasteful lifestyle” and constant need for funds.
“In my opinion, the time has passed when he worked for the satisfaction of the underground and the ‘secret agent,’ and now, in pursuit of money, he often demands remuneration himself. This creates a convenient situation to financially make it dependent on SB. I suggest that at the next meeting to announce ‘Szczęsny’ that he can receive a fixed monthly salary.”
—Internal Security Service document regarding **Roch Siemianowski**
The call for transparency led to applications for the disclosure of documents related to TW “Szczęsny,” with actor **Joachim Lamża**, himself a reported surveillance subject, among those filing requests.
The legacy of such informers continues to shape public discourse, with approximately 10% of Polish parliamentarians in the post-communist era having been linked to past collaboration, according to a 2010 study by the Institute of National Remembrance (Institute of National Remembrance).
A Culture of Surveillance
The revelations underscore the pervasive nature of state surveillance during the communist era. The SB actively sought to infiltrate and monitor various segments of society, leveraging personal weaknesses and financial vulnerabilities to build their informant network.
The exposure of **Siemianowski**’s activities adds another layer to the complex and often painful reckoning with the communist past in Poland, impacting public trust and historical memory.
