Poland Charges Belarusian Citizen for Alleged Arson in Warsaw

Polish prosecutors charged a Belarusian citizen with espionage and sabotage for allegedly setting fire to a large construction supermarket in Warsaw on behalf of Russia’s intelligence services.

In April 2024, Stepan K. spilled a flammable liquid in the supermarket and left devices that could remotely start a fire, the prosecutors’ office said in a statement on its website. The fire burned down a part of the store, causing losses of more than 3.5 million zloty ($0.9 million). The authorities didn’t disclose Stepan K.’s full name in line with the Polish law. He faces a life imprisonment.