Six foreign nationals on trial in Lithuania for alleged terrorist plot against military equipment

A Lithuanian court has questioned nearly half of the witnesses in the trial of six foreign nationals accused of forming a terrorist group and attempting arson attacks on military equipment bound for Ukraine, state broadcaster LRT reported Thursday.

According to Vytautas Jončas, a spokesperson for Šiauliai Regional Court, closed-door hearings have seen testimony from nearly five of the ten witnesses listed in the case. Proceedings will resume next week.

The defendants—citizens of Spain, Russia, Cuba, Belarus, and Colombia—are participating via interpreters in Spanish and Russian. One has admitted guilt and provided details of the alleged plot. All remain in custody after a recent three-month detention extension.

Prosecutors allege the group conducted reconnaissance in Lithuania weeks before their first attempt to set fire to mobile radio spectrum analysis stations, valued at up to €1.5 million, manufactured by Šiauliai-based TVC Solutions for Ukraine’s armed forces. Two attacks were attempted on September 17 and 22, 2024, but failed due to bystander interference or ineffective incendiary devices.

Two suspects, a Spanish national and a dual Spanish-Colombian citizen, were arrested in Riga hours after the first attempt. A Russian and a Belarusian national allegedly carried out the second attack, while a Cuban national arrived the following day to assess damage—only to be detained by Lithuanian police. A Colombian suspect, believed to have coordinated financing, was later arrested in Spain.

The trial is closed to the public to protect classified information and witness anonymity.