By Adam Easton
(BBC) – Poland has charged six foreign citizens with preparing acts of sabotage and spying for Russia, interior minister Mariusz Kaminski has said.
Mr Kaminski said the six were “foreigners from across the eastern border” and they had sought to disrupt military and aid supplies to Ukraine.
Prosecutors are currently preparing proceedings against three other people also detained in the operation.
Mr Kaminski said the cell had been preparing “sabotage actions” in Poland.
“Evidence indicates that this group monitored railway lines. Their tasks included recognising, monitoring and documenting weapons’ transports to Ukraine,” Mr Kaminski told a news briefing on Thursday morning.
“The suspects were also preparing sabotage actions aimed at paralysing the supply of equipment, weapons and aid to Ukraine.”
Six of the suspects have been charged with conducting espionage for Russia and participation in an organised criminal group, after they were detained as part of an operation conducted by Poland’s Internal Security Agency (ABW).
ABW officers found cameras, electronic equipment and GPS transmitters that were to be mounted on aid transports to Ukraine.
The group were also tasked with carrying out propaganda activities to disrupt Polish-Ukrainian relations and incite hostile attitudes towards Poland among Nato, Mr Kaminski said.
ABW has evidence the group were paid by Russian intelligence.
