Ukrainian man arrested in Poland for attempted bomb assassination at Irpin
Poland has detained a Ukrainian citizen suspected of planting an explosive device under the car of an official from the Ukrainian arms industry, on the orders of Russian intelligence services.
Bomb planted under car at Irpin: Poland arrests Ukrainian suspect
Polish authorities detained a Ukrainian citizen on Thursday in Warsaw suspected of attempting to assassinate a representative of Ukraine's arms industry, on the orders of Russian intelligence services, according to Google News RO — Crime (ro), citing Reuters and a statement from the Polish Internal Security Agency (ABW).
The suspect, identified only as Serhii P. — in accordance with Polish legislation on personal data protection — had fled Ukraine after committing the act and was hiding on Polish territory at the time of his arrest.
Explosive device detonated remotely, bomb did not explode
According to ABW, Serhii P. planted an improvised explosive device under the car of the intended victim in Irpin, a town located near Kyiv. "The device was to be detonated remotely using a mobile phone. The bomb did not explode due to a malfunction," the agency stated in an official statement.
After the assassination attempt failed, the suspect crossed the border and took refuge in Poland, where investigators located and detained him in Warsaw.
Serious charges: minimum 15 years or life imprisonment
Polish prosecutors have charged Serhii P. with attempted murder using explosives and possession of explosives without the required authorisation. Under Polish legislation, these offences carry a minimum sentence of 15 years' imprisonment, with the possibility of a life sentence.
The Russian Embassy in Warsaw did not respond to a request for comment sent by Reuters via email.
A recurring pattern: Ukrainians recruited by Moscow
Western countries and Ukraine have long accused Russia of recruiting citizens, including Ukrainians, to carry out acts of sabotage and espionage on European territory. Russia has repeatedly denied these accusations.
The case of Serhii P. is part of a series of similar incidents documented in Poland. Earlier in the same month, Polish authorities arrested a Russian citizen accused of being recruited by Moscow to kill a Ukrainian-American resident in Warsaw.
Source: Google News RO — Crime (ro)