Russia sought release of GRU agent captured by Poland, Gazeta Wyborcza reports
The Polish daily has detailed Moscow’s efforts to secure the release of Aleksandr B., a 44-year-old GRU operative accused of orchestrating sabotage operations in Poland, Germany, and the United Kingdom in 2024 using courier packages designed to ignite, following his arrest by Polish security services.
Poland has refused to extradite a Russian operative, identified as Aleksandr B., who allegedly coordinated sabotage operations in Poland, Germany and the UK in 2024 using courier packages rigged to ignite. The Polish daily „Gazeta Wyborcza” described the behind-the-scenes details of Moscow’s desperate attempt to free him after he was captured.Photo: Courtesy of Poland’s Internal Security Agency (ABW)
According to sources cited by Gazeta Wyborcza, Aleksandr B.’s capture by Polish authorities was “the strongest blow dealt to the Russian GRU by Polish services in recent years.”
The Russian, who lived in Warsaw, is believed to have coordinated a series of incendiary courier package attacks in Germany, Poland, and the United Kingdom in July 2024, while his roommate, a Ukrainian named Vyacheslav W., handled the dispatch of the packages.
The operatives reportedly monitored courier routes, delivery processes, security measures, delivery times, and dates to plan similar attacks using timed incendiary packages, potentially targeting the United States and Canada.
Aleksandr B. was arrested in Bosnia and Herzegovina while attempting to enter Serbia without a passport and was subsequently handed over to Poland.
Russian services sought to secure his release by portraying him as a criminal involved in drug trafficking and requested his extradition from Poland. Aleksandr B. himself also applied for extradition. Poland ultimately refused, citing the risk of torture and the absence of a fair trial in Russia.
Aleksandr B. is accused of participating in Russian intelligence activities and preparing a terrorist act. Sources told the newspaper that the evidence gathered so far is expected to result in a long prison sentence.
(mp)
Source: wyborcza.pl
