Montenegrin citizen detained at Warsaw airport over alleged ties to Chinese Intel

A 32-year-old Montenegrin citizen has been detained at Warsaw’s Chopin Airport on suspicion of acting on behalf of Chinese intelligence, RMF FM reports.

The arrest was carried out by the Central Bureau of Investigation’s Pursuit Operations Division in coordination with border guards. The man had arrived in Warsaw from Istanbul.

According to unofficial sources, the Montenegrin was wanted by Lithuanian authorities under a European Arrest Warrant. Lithuanian officials claim that since February 2023, he has been gathering information on Lithuanian territory considered significant by the Chinese.

The court has ordered the suspect to remain in custody for seven days.

The arrest comes against the backdrop of a longstanding diplomatic crisis between Lithuania and China. Tensions escalated in 2021 after Vilnius opened a Taiwanese representative office, an action not recognised by Beijing.

In response, China imposed unilateral sanctions on Lithuania, including suspending the transit of Chinese goods through the country.

By Aghakazim Guliyev