US EditionLithuania investigates plot to assassinate Russian political exile, pro-Ukraine activist
Prosecutors say the suspects acted for Russia’s GRU and were linked to arson and espionage across Europe.
- On Monday, Lithuania charged 13 people from several countries with attempting to murder a Lithuanian activist and a Russian political exile, acts allegedly linked to Russia's GRU military intelligence agency.
- In March 2025, authorities launched a proactive probe after Ruslan Gabbasov, a Lithuania-based Bashkir activist, discovered tracking equipment in his car, prompting investigators to identify possible perpetrators.
- The intended victims were identified as Gabbasov and Lithuanian citizen Valdas Bartkevičius, while a 55-year-old man was detained in Greece for allegedly transferring €5,000 to finance the planned killings.
- Acting chief prosecutor Martynas Jovaiaa stated nine suspects are in Lithuania with seven in custody, while extradition procedures are underway for two others; those convicted of murder for terrorist purposes face life imprisonment.
- Saulius Briginas of the Lithuanian Criminal Police Bureau warned of rising "hybrid-style crimes" against European Union nations, though Moscow has consistently denied allegations of involvement in such sabotage operations.
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The thirteen suspects are said to have planned, among other things, to kill activists and set fire to a military transport to Ukraine. According to Lithuania, the clients acted “in the interests of” the Russian military intelligence service.
Police investigations that began early last year concluded that those who sought the murders were acting in the interests of the GRU.
In Lithuania, thirteen people have been charged with plotting two murders. According to the police, the suspects were working on orders from the Russian secret intelligence service GRU. In a press release, the police state that they thwarted the murders. The victims targeted by the suspects are a Russian national and a person from Lithuania. The police say they were targeted because of their political beliefs. Terrorist attacks The suspects not …
Lithuania charges 13 people with two attempted murders linked to Russia's GRU, police say
VILNIUS, April 27 - Lithuania has charged 13 people from a number of countries with two attempted murders in Vilnius linked to Russia's GRU military intelligence agency, the chief of the Baltic country's criminal police said on Monday. Read more at straitstimes.com.
Lithuanian prosecutors have charged 13 people linked to Russia's GRU military intelligence agency with plotting to assassinate two people, Lithuanian pro-Ukrainian activist Valdas Bartkevičius and a Russian citizen, the local LRT station reported.
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