February 20
06:34
2016
Poland's new right-wing leaders are using fresh allegations about Solidarity hero Lech Walesa to revive conspiracy theories that the communist-era regime staged its own demise in 1989 to hold onto power behind the scenes. In claims that Polish EU leader Donald Tusk lamented as "unfortunate" for the country's image abroad, newly-released police files allege that Nobel Peace prize winner Walesa was in fact a paid communist spy. Walesa is renowned worldwide for negotiating a bloodless end to communism in Poland in 1989.