Court hears trial of five accused in Russia-linked parcel bomb case
A Vilnius court has started a trial involving five individuals accused of sending self-igniting explosive packages through DHL and DPD to Germany, Poland, and Britain in 2024.
Twenty-two individuals are implicated in supporting Russian intelligence, with Poland identified as the “most frequently targeted country” for Russian sabotage efforts in Europe.
“During the hearings, data regarding identified and wanted persons may be disclosed,” said prosecutor Šarūnas Astrauskas as the trial commenced.
Key developments
A Vilnius court has commenced a trial concerning parcels linked to Russian military intelligence, with five individuals accused of sending explosive devices to Western nations via DHL and DPD.
Prosecutor Šarūnas Astrauskas indicated that further details about other wanted individuals may emerge during hearings, as investigators pursue additional suspects believed to be involved.
Trial of five men accused of sending exploding parcels for Russia starts in Lithuania
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A Vilnius court began a trial on Friday into an allegedly Russia-linked case where parcels with exploding devices were sent to several Western countries from Lithuania through delivery networks.
Five people are accused of working with Russia’s military intelligence agency GRU to prepare and send self-igniting packages via DHL and DPD that detonated in Germany, Poland and Britain in 2024.
“During the hearings, data…regarding identified and wanted persons may be disclosed,” prosecutor Šarūnas Astrauskas told the court, according to the BNS agency.
He said other members of the alleged terrorist group were being sought.
In July 2024, a Lithuanian citizen and accomplices “used the delivery and transportation services of DHL and DPD companies and sent four parcels from Vilnius with homemade explosive-incendiary devices,” according to the prosecutors.
A fourth parcel was intercepted by officials and did not detonate due to a malfunction.
Investigators found that two test parcels had been sent to the United States and Canada, while two others intended for those countries were found in Amsterdam.
A joint investigation team was created at Eurojust, consisting of Lithuania, Poland, Germany, the Netherlands and Britain and receiving support from Estonia, Latvia, the United States, Canada and Europol.
According to their investigation, 22 individuals are believed to have acted in the interests of Russian intelligence services.
Eurojust claims the suspects were recruited through online messaging platforms, with tasks being divided among them.
Investigators believe those recruited mostly comprised poorer people living in Lithuania, Poland, Russia, Ukraine and Latvia.
Five suspects are currently on trial in connection with the sabotage case in Poland and international arrest warrants are out for another five.
According to a report by the International Centre for Counter-Terrorism, Poland is the “most frequently targeted country” for Russian sabotage campaigns across Europe.
Lithuania and Germany were tied for third place.
Additional sources • AFP