Poland seeks European arrest warrant for Ukrainians over railway sabotage

Warsaw prosecutors have requested a European Arrest Warrant for two Ukrainian nationals, Yevheniy Ivanov, 41, and Oleksandr Kononov, 39, suspected of carrying out acts of sabotage on Poland’s railway infrastructure, the National Prosecutor’s Office spokesperson, Przemysław Nowak, confirmed.

The pair were placed under temporary arrest by a court on November 27, but both fled to Belarus, Caliber.Az reports via Polish media. Warsaw police are now leading the search for the suspects.

Authorities have urged anyone with information on their whereabouts to contact the Metropolitan Police Headquarters by phone at +48 72 376 57, via the emergency number 112, or by email at kancelaria.poszukiwania@ksp.policja.gov.pl.

Railway sabotage incidents

The alleged sabotage took place on 15 and 16 November along the Warsaw–Lublin line, near the towns of Mika and Gołąb. On the morning of 16 November, a train driver reported anomalies on the track. Investigations revealed damage caused by explosions.

Near Puławy, the overhead power line was damaged, shattering a window on a train travelling from Świnoujście to Rzeszów with 475 passengers on board.

Charges and alleged motive

Ivanov and Kononov face charges of carrying out acts of sabotage with a terrorist character on behalf of Russian intelligence against the Republic of Poland. The accusations, under three separate legal provisions, include espionage through acts of sabotage for a foreign intelligence service, endangering land transport, and the use of explosives. Conviction could result in a life sentence.

Additional arrest in connection with the case

Last week, another Ukrainian, Volodymyr B., was arrested in connection with the railway sabotage. Prosecutors allege he assisted the primary suspects by helping them survey the areas and prepare for further acts of sabotage.

Evidence indicates that in September, Volodymyr B. transported Ivanov to the planned sabotage sites on the railway line near Mika and Gołąb, allowing him to identify locations for explosives and install surveillance and metal devices on the tracks. He has been placed under three months’ pre-trial detention.

Earlier in the investigation, four other individuals were detained; three were released, while one faced charges for document concealment. A court denied the prosecutor’s request for temporary detention in that case.

By Aghakazim Guliyev