Five people have been charged with terrorism offences by prosecutors investigating recent cases of arson in Poland, including a fire that destroyed Warsaw’s largest shopping centre. The prime minister has suggested that Russia was involved in that latter case.
“Five suspects are currently charged with participation in an organised criminal group aimed at committing a terrorist offence,” a spokesman for the national prosecutor’s office said in a statement to media outlets. He noted that the quintet are being held in pretrial detention.
Prosecutors have not revealed any information on the identity of the suspects, including their nationality. Nor have they said precisely which case of arson they are accused of involvement with.
5 osób zatrzymanych w sprawie ostatnich podpaleń. Mają zarzuty o terroryzm #wyborcza https://t.co/mTSjfmp0N9
— Gazeta Wyborcza.pl (@gazeta_wyborcza) May 27, 2024
However, the charges come in relation to an investigation into two cases of arson in April and May this year, one of which was the fire that destroyed the Marywilska 44 shopping centre in Warsaw on 12 May.
Gazeta Wyborcza, a leading daily newspaper, reports that it has determined that the charges relate to the Marywilska fire. Last week, Prime Minister Donald Tusk said it was “likely” Russia was involved in that incident.
Meanwhile, broadcaster Radio Zet has reported that in a second location, arsonists tried to use radio-controlled incendiary devices to start a fire. But they failed to ignite and were discovered by Polish investigators.
It is “likely” that Russia was involved in the fire that recently destroyed Warsaw’s largest shopping centre, says Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk.
However, he added that investigations are still ongoing https://t.co/SipJtSLIpQ
— Notes from Poland 🇵🇱 (@notesfrompoland) May 21, 2024
Poland has recently stepped up security measures in response to a series of threats it has attributed to Russia and its ally Belarus.
Yesterday, the government announced that it would restrict the movement of Russian diplomats in response to the “hybrid war” that Moscow is waging against Poland and other EU countries.
Last week, Prime Minister Donald Tusk announced that at least 12 people had been detained on suspicion of planning or carrying out sabotage on behalf of Russia.
Poland is restricting the movement of Russian diplomats due to Russia's involvement in “hybrid” attacks, especially sabotage activities.
Moscow says it will take “retaliatory measures” that will make Poland “regret the anti-Russian steps” it has taken https://t.co/P7QtgOWncS
— Notes from Poland 🇵🇱 (@notesfrompoland) May 28, 2024
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Main image credit: Dariusz Borowicz / Agencja Wyborcza.pl
Daniel Tilles is editor-in-chief of Notes from Poland. He has written on Polish affairs for a wide range of publications, including Foreign Policy, POLITICO Europe, EUobserver and Dziennik Gazeta Prawna.
