Lithuania arrests suspects in Europe-wide explosive parcel plot, linked to Russia

DW reported the information, citing the Vilnius Prosecutor's Office.

Lithuanian Prosecutor General Nida Grunskiene stated that the investigation is being conducted intensively and involves other countries, though she did not provide further details.

At the same time, Lithuanian President’s national security advisor Kęstutis Budrys suggested that Russian military intelligence is behind the incidents.

"We must neutralize and dismantle the source of these malicious operations. And we know who is behind them," he said.

Background

At the end of October, four people were detained in Poland on suspicion of sending explosive parcels to European countries. Two other suspects have been put on international wanted lists.

According to the prosecutor’s office, the group's activities involved sending parcels with disguised explosive and hazardous materials through courier companies to EU countries and the United Kingdom, designed to detonate during transportation.

It later emerged that Western intelligence suspects Russia of conducting a covert operation to prepare for fires aboard cargo or passenger planes bound for the United States and Canada.

A representative of European law enforcement stated that Lithuanian police have arrested a suspect who sent four incendiary devices, including two from a DHL store in the Lithuanian capital, Vilnius.