British, Lithuanian and Latvian authorities have detained people on suspicion of carrying out intelligence-related activities on behalf of Russia in the latest of a string of incidents linked to Moscow by Western officials.
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The Metropolitan Police said on Thursday they arrested three people just east of London on suspicion of spying for Russia. On Wednesday, Lithuanian prosecutors said they uncovered and detained a Russia-linked network of suspects who are alleged to have planned and organised arson attacks in various European countries. Meanwhile, Latvia’s security service said it detained a man suspected of passing intelligence about the military to Russia.
British police said they arrested two men, aged 41 and 46, and a 35-year-old woman in the county of Essex. They searched two addresses and later released the suspects on bail.
Lithuania’s prosecutor general office said suspects in a separate case are accused of sending packages containing home-made explosive devices to other European Union countries and Britain via courier services on behalf of Russia’s military intelligence services. The highly flammable incendiary devices with timed detonators were hidden inside vibrating massage cushions and tubes of cosmetics.
European security officials have previously warned that a widespread sabotage campaign blamed on Russia is growing more dangerous. The alleged espionage and plots to use explosives are among around 80 incidents linked to Russia that The Associated Press has documented since Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
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They include 18 cases of arson or serious sabotage, including attacks on restaurants, warehouses and shopping centres as well as a plot to assassinate the CEO of a German arms company.
The Lithuanian authorities said a total of 15 people – citizens of Russia, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia and Ukraine – are suspected of organising and carrying out the alleged attacks. Their statement said an international arrest warrant has been issued for three people, but did not make clear if and how many people had been arrested.