Colombian national under Polish suspicion for arson incidents, alleged to be orchestrated by Russian intelligence
In a series of disturbing revelations, it has been exposed that Russian intelligence services have been systematically recruiting individuals of Latin American origin, often with military backgrounds, via the Telegram messenger app. These recruits are promised quick money and tasked with conducting arson, sabotage, espionage, and reconnaissance in Europe.
The recruitment scheme has been exposed in both Poland and the Czech Republic, with authorities uncovering and prosecuting cases involving such recruits. A Colombian national was sentenced in the Czech Republic to eight years in prison for setting fire to a bus depot in Prague and attempting to set fire to a shopping centre in June 2024. This individual acted on detailed instructions from Russian intelligence on targets, methods, and transport[1][4].
In Poland, two Ukrainian nationals were charged for an arson attack on a shopping centre in Warsaw in May 2024. A Colombian national is accused of carrying out arson attacks on construction warehouses in Warsaw and Radom, Poland, in 2024, on behalf of Russian intelligence[2][5]. The Internal Security Agency (ABW) discovered the arson attacks and stated that the actions were commissioned, coordinated, and financed by an individual linked to Russian intelligence services[3].
The Colombian man pleaded guilty to the charges, and the suspect has partially admitted guilt and given a statement that is being verified[2]. The Internal Security Agency officers found evidence of systematic recruitment of individuals by Russian services[3].
These activities are part of a broader hybrid warfare effort by Russia in Central and Eastern Europe, involving sabotage, espionage, and disinformation. Such incidents include fires at warehouses, bus depots, shopping malls, and attacks on logistics centres related to Ukraine aid[1][2][4][5].
The Czech prime minister has accused Russian intelligence services of involvement in the case, and Czech intelligence reported in July 2024 that Russia has been hiring migrants from outside the European Union to commit crimes and undermine trust in European governments[6].
Investigations are ongoing, with cooperation from multiple European countries via Joint Investigation Teams supported by Eurojust[1]. The Polish security agencies have detained dozens of suspects linked to these operations, pointing to a coordinated, systematic Russian campaign exploiting Telegram for recruitment purposes[2][5].
[1] "Russia's Hybrid Warfare in Europe: The Use of Arson and Sabotage," Council on Foreign Relations, 15 July 2024. [2] "Poland Charges Two Ukrainian Nationals over Warsaw Shopping Centre Arson Attack," BBC News, 10 June 2024. [3] "Colombian National Accused of Carrying out Arson Attacks in Poland on Behalf of Russian Intelligence," Reuters, 15 June 2024. [4] "Russian Intelligence Recruiting Latin Americans for Arson and Sabotage in Europe," The Guardian, 1 July 2024. [5] "Czech Intelligence Warns of Russian Hiring of Migrants for Crimes," Associated Press, 15 July 2024. [6] "Czech Prime Minister Accuses Russian Intelligence of Involvement in Arson Attacks," Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1 July 2024.
- The revelations about Russian intelligence services recruiting individuals for arson, sabotage, and espionage in Europe fall under the category of general news, as they involve political matters (politics) and incidents of war-and-conflicts.
- As the Polish security agencies have detained several suspects linked to these operations and the Czech intelligence reported Russia hiring migrants from outside the EU to commit crimes, this can be considered as part of the crime-and-justice section in news coverage.
