Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk announced that three more people were recently arrested on suspicion of being involved in foreign-sponsored sabotage. This brings the total number of people arrested in connection with these activities to twelve.
Tusk spoke about the steps his government is taking to protect Poland from hostile activities, including incidents suspected to be linked to Russian intelligence services.
On Monday night, three individuals were taken into custody. This follows the earlier arrest of nine people who are accused of engaging in sabotage acts in Poland on behalf of Russian intelligence services.
Tusk described these suspects as hired individuals, some from the criminal world, and included nationals from Ukraine, Belarus, and Poland. The alleged acts of sabotage included beatings, arson, and attempted arson.
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Tusk highlighted that other countries in the region, particularly Lithuania and Latvia, also face threats of sabotage and provocation. These countries, along with Estonia, make up the Baltic states, which neighbor Russia.
The three Baltic nations were once part of the Soviet Union, and Poland was a satellite state of the USSR before the 1990s. Despite Moscow’s continued interest in the region, Poland and the Baltic states strongly support Ukraine in its fight against Russia’s invasion.
Last week in Lithuania, arrests were made following a suspected arson fire at an IKEA warehouse in Vilnius. Tusk indicated that these suspects might also be linked to sabotage activities in Poland. Additionally, an attempted arson at a factory in Wroclaw earlier this year was believed to be the work of Russia’s secret services.
Investigations are also underway into a recent fire at a major shopping mall in Warsaw to determine if it was linked to Russian sabotage.
Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda urged people to stay vigilant against acts of sabotage. He warned that such acts could happen again due to the current political circumstances.
Nauseda emphasized the importance of preventing opponents and enemies from destabilizing the internal political situation. Russian authorities have not commented on these accusations. They typically deny such allegations when they arise.
Prime Minister Tusk’s announcement and the ongoing arrests highlight the seriousness of the sabotage threats facing Poland and its neighbors. The situation underscores the broader regional tensions and the need for continued vigilance and security measures.
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