Belarusian man arrested in Poland in connection with arson attack in Gdańsk

November 13, Pozirk. Poland’s Internal Security Agency officers arrested a Belarusian national in Warsaw a week ago on suspicion of involvement in an attempted arson attack on a facility in Gdańsk, abw.gov.pl reported.

The suspect was placed in custody for three months and faces charges of gang activities and espionage, the report said, noting that he may be given a life sentence if convicted.

The arrest was made within an ongoing investigation into a criminal gang’s activities, which include sabotage and arson as part of a campaign allegedly orchestrated by the Russian intelligence service.

Earlier this year, Polish law enforcers arrested nationals of Poland, Ukraine and Belarus suspected of setting fire to facilities in Gdańsk, Gdynia and Marki and plotting another attack in Wrocław. The group reportedly possessed items that could be used to commit further acts of sabotage.

In May, ABW agents arrested two Belarusians and a Pole on suspicion of involvement in arson attacks. The three men had served in the Ukrainian Armed Forces’ Terror unit before moving to Poland, where they carried out criminal orders, probably unaware that the orders were given by the Russian intelligence service, said ByPol, an association of former Belarusian law enforcement officers.

Also read: Man arrested in Poland over arson attacks is a former Belarusian policeman – ByPol