Conflicts

Several people involved in preparing acts of sabotage on behalf of Russian special services have been arrested in Poland. This follows an announcement by Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk.

These men are suspected of preparing a wave of attacks across Europe that included civilian casualties.

"We have currently arrested and charged several suspects with carrying out direct acts of sabotage in Poland at the request of Russian special services. These include beatings, arson and attempted arson," Mr Tusk said.

"Sometimes they are people from the criminal world, and they also involve Ukrainian, Belarusian and Polish citizens," he added.

According to Mr Tusk, the sabotages, supported by Russian special services, also took place in Lithuania, Latvia and Sweden. Mr Tusk cited an attempted arson attack on a paint factory in the Polish city of Wroclaw as an example. The attack in Wroclaw, ordered by Russia, is "indisputable", the prime minister stressed. He also recalled the arson in an IKEA warehouse in Lithuania.

"The same people detained in this country could also be involved in sabotage attempts, mainly arson, also in Poland," he explained.

Mr Tusk stressed that Poland was acting in concert with its neighbours and allies on the issue, and that he was "satisfied" with the effectiveness of the country's security services.

(SR and FM for Tagtik/Photo: National Police via Wikicommons under license Creative Common CC BY 4.0.)