Approved event from Hybrid War Tracker
Short Summary: A terrorist group responsible for arson attacks in Czech Republic, Lithuania, Poland, and Romania, linked to a foreign intelligence service, has been taken to court starting 2026-01-27.
Extended Summary: On 27 January 2026, Eurojust announced that a terrorist group suspected of conducting arson attacks across the European Union on behalf of a foreign intelligence service is being taken to court. The group attempted arson targeting commercial, transport, and factory facilities in the Czech Republic, Lithuania, Poland, and Romania. After joint investigations initiated by Romania and coordinated by Eurojust, trials have already resulted in convictions in Romania and the Czech Republic, with a trial pending in Lithuania for six suspects later in 2026. Notably, suspects targeted a Lithuanian factory producing materials for the Armed Forces of Ukraine and construction depots in Poland with attacks falsely portrayed by Russian-language media as sabotage against NATO infrastructure for disinformation purposes. The investigation revealed coordination among suspects using similar methods to intimidate, fear, and undermine support for Ukraine. The suspect in Poland, a Colombian citizen, committed arson in Warsaw and Radom, and disinformation activities are ongoing. Authorities from Czech Republic, Lithuania, Poland, and Romania collaborated closely with operational and legal support from Eurojust and Europol. Sentences included 6 and 8 years imprisonment and expulsion orders. The case highlights ongoing hybrid threats using terrorism and disinformation to destabilize NATO allies.
A terrorist group suspected of carrying out arson attacks across the European Union on behalf of a foreign intelligence service is being prosecuted. The group targeted commercial, transport, and factory facilities in Czech Republic, Lithuania, Poland, and Romania. Investigations revealed coordinated arson attempts involving spraying petrol and setting fires, targeting strategic sites including a factory producing materials for Ukraine’s Armed Forces. Some attacks failed initially due to insufficient flammable materials, while others succeeded. A Colombian citizen was found responsible for arsons in Poland, later spreading disinformation via Russian-language media falsely framing the incidents as sabotage against NATO military infrastructure. Trials in Romania and Czech Republic have led to convictions; a Lithuanian trial is upcoming. Authorities from the involved countries worked with Eurojust and Europol to coordinate investigations and prosecutions to avoid double jeopardy. Sentences included imprisonment, expulsion, and fines. The case demonstrates hybrid warfare tactics combining terrorism with disinformation to undermine NATO allies and foment fear and distrust towards Ukraine.
The event describes coordinated terrorist arson attacks linked to a foreign intelligence service (aggressor) targeting EU countries, with direct prosecution and convictions noted. The described actions are hostile hybrid warfare tactics including terrorism and propaganda. No defensive preparations are described.
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