Fifteen suspects have been charged so far, including citizens of Russia, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, and Ukraine, some linked to Russian intelligence.
Criminal network uncovered, explosive parcels intercepted
On 19 July 2024, Lithuanian national A. Š., born in 1973, and his accomplices sent four parcels containing homemade explosives and incendiary devices from Vilnius to several European countries using DHL and DPD.
Two parcels were sent by DHL cargo planes to the UK, and two were transported by DPD trucks to Poland.
One parcel exploded at Leipzig airport in Germany before being loaded onto a DHL flight to the UK. The next day, a DPD truck carrying another parcel detonated in Poland.
A third parcel exploded in a DHL warehouse in Birmingham, UK. The fourth parcel, transported by DPD in Poland, failed to ignite due to a mechanical fault.
Investigators said the devices were hidden in massage cushions and hygiene products and triggered using electronic timers.
Links to previous attacks and organized conspiracy
Several coordinators were also linked to a May 2024 arson at a Vilnius IKEA store. Key figures include Ukrainian citizen Daniil Gromov, who also used Russian documents under the name Jaroslav Mikhailov, Lithuanian-Russian citizen Tomas Dovganas Stabaczinskas, and Russian citizen Andrei Baburov. International arrest warrants have been issued for these three men.
From left: Andrej BABUROV (born on 1 January 1962, a citizen of the Russian Federation), Tomas DOVGAN STABAČINSKAS (norn on 14 May 1971, a citizen of Lithuania and the Russian Federation), Daniil GROMOV / Jaroslav MIKHAILOV (born on 5 February 1988, a citzen of Ukraine and Russia. Photo: Courtesy of the Lithuanian Prosecutor General's Office
Authorities said additional participants from Lithuania, Russia, Latvia, Estonia, and Ukraine were recruited via personal contacts and the Telegram app, with payments made in cryptocurrency.
The group operated in a highly organized manner, dividing tasks such as transporting parcels, hiding explosives, and activating devices. Over 30 searches were conducted across Lithuania, Poland, Latvia, and Estonia.
International investigation and potential penalties
The investigation involved cooperation through Eurojust, the EU agency for criminal justice, and included law enforcement and intelligence agencies from Lithuania, Poland, the UK, Germany, the Netherlands, Latvia, Estonia, the United States, and Canada.
Lithuanian law stipulates prison sentences of five years to life for membership in a terrorist group, and up to 10 years for committing a terrorist act.
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Source: PAP/Reuters/Lithuanian Prosecutor General's Office/procirators.lt