Terrorism case suspects remain in custody as video evidence review begins

All six foreign nationals accused of involvement in a terrorist group and an attempted arson attack in Šiauliai will remain in custody, Šiaulių District Court ruled on Thursday, citing persistent grounds for the strictest preventive measure. The case has been adjourned until autumn, with a hearing scheduled for September 1 to continue witness testimony, LRT reports.

The defendants include citizens of Spain (J. L. A.), Russia (E. O. V.), Cuba (Y. L. C.), Colombia (C. A. L. D.), and Belarus (M. B.), as well as a dual Spanish-Colombian national (A. F. R. D.). According to the indictment, the group meticulously prepared for the planned crime, arriving in Lithuania for reconnaissance weeks before the first attempted arson.

Investigators allege the target was the infrastructure and products of Šiauliai-based company TVC Solutions, which manufactures mobile radio spectrum analysis stations for Ukraine’s armed forces, valued at up to €1.5 million. The first arson attempt occurred on the night of September 17, 2024, with a second on September 22. Prosecutors state that two suspects—J. L. A. and A. F. R. D.—brought incendiary devices to the scene but fled to Riga after being startled by passersby. They were later detained and extradited to Lithuania.

A second attempt on September 22 allegedly involved Russian citizen E. O. V. and Belarusian M. B., who believed the arson had succeeded before leaving the site. No damage was ultimately caused.

The court is conducting proceedings in Spanish and Russian with interpreters present. One defendant has admitted guilt and provided details about the incident. Due to the sensitivity of the case and the involvement of anonymous witnesses, the trial is being held behind closed doors. Since March, the court has held 15 hearings, with most of the 10 planned witnesses already testifying.