Russian intelligence services were likely behind a series of parcels that exploded in courier depots across Europe, Polish prosecutors said on Friday (November 8), pointing the finger at Moscow in a case officials say could have caused an air disaster.
Western officials have previously said that Russia has tried to destabilise allies of Ukraine with acts of sabotage. The explosions in courier depots in Britain, Germany and Poland in July had the potential to mark a serious escalation by causing an explosion on an aircraft.
Security officials have said that the parcels were part of a plot that ultimately aimed to trigger explosions on cargo flights to the United States and Canada.
"The evidence collected in the case indicates a high probability that the discussed acts of sabotage... were inspired by Russian special services," Polish Prosecutor's Office spokesperson Przemysław Nowak said in an emailed statement.
The Russian embassy in Warsaw said the prosecutor's allegations were "unfounded and unjustified" in an emailed response to Reuters' questions. Russia has previously denied involvement.
Nowak said Polish authorities are searching for two Russians and have detained four Ukrainian citizens as part of the investigation.
Parcels from Vilnius
Polish prosecutors said in October they had detained four people and were searching for two others in relation to the packages, but did not reveal the nationalities of those accused of involvement.
In October prosecutors said they were investigating the role of "foreign intelligence", without explicitly naming Russia.
"Intensive activities are being carried out to identify the remaining individuals involved in the above international group," Nowak said in the statement sent on Friday.
"These actions are undertaken in cooperation with law enforcement agencies of other European Union countries."
He said that the exploding parcels had been sent from the Lithuanian capital Vilnius.
Siewiera: matters that require discretion
On Thursday, in an interview on Rozmowa Piaseckiego on TVN24, the head of Poland's National Security Bureau, Jacek Siewiera, was asked if he had more detailed information on certain sensitive matters. He replied, "I do, but all of it is classified at a high level of confidentiality."
"These are serious and dangerous matters that require discretion to ensure the security of the key institutions responsible for our safety. Discussing them on morning talk shows is not advisable," he added.
Siewiera also commented on the significant risk of subversive threats from Russia, describing it as "immense."
Źródło: TVN24 News in English, TVN24, Reuters
Źródło zdjęcia głównego: Shutterstock