Six foreign nationals accused of terrorism appear in Šiauliai court under heavy armed guard

Six foreign nationals charged with terrorism-related offences appeared in Šiauliai Regional Court on Monday under heavy police escort, including officers armed with automatic rifles, LRT reports. The closed-door hearing marks the latest development in a case involving an alleged plot to sabotage equipment intended for Ukraine’s military.

The defendants—five men and one woman—were brought into the courtroom under guard by around ten officers from the police Special Preparedness Unit. Journalists were barred from speaking to the Spanish-speaking suspects, two of whom communicated with their lawyers in Russian. One of the accused shouted an expletive in Spanish—“puta madre”—as they passed reporters.

All six remain in custody. The court has ruled to hold proceedings behind closed doors, citing the need to protect state or commercial secrets and the anonymity of witnesses who may testify.

According to prosecutors, the group—comprising citizens of Belarus, Colombia, Cuba, Russia, and Spain—is accused of participating in a terrorist organisation, attempting a terrorist act, and financing terrorist activities. Authorities allege they targeted infrastructure and production facilities worth approximately €5.5 million belonging to TVC Solutions, a company supplying mobile radio spectrum analysis stations to Ukraine’s armed forces.

Investigators claim the plot was directed and funded by Russia’s GRU military intelligence agency. The alleged sabotage attempt occurred in September 2024.