Arrests of Europeans for helping Russia raise fears of Kremlin takeover

A series of arrests, including two Poles accused of attacking a Navalny collaborator and a third for links to a possible plot against the Ukrainian president , amplified Russian concerns. infiltration.

Polish and German authorities have arrested at least five of their citizens in recent days and accused them of spying for Russia or having offered to help Moscow commit violence on European soil, including a "possible attack" on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

The arrests highlighted the fears about the Kremlin's stealth network in the West and its use of foreign resources. nationals, including violent criminals and football hooligans, to terrify or even kill opponents taking refuge abroad.

The Polish national prosecutor's office said in a statement that a Polish citizen, identified as Pawel K., was arrested on Wednesday. He said he had offered to help Russian agents in a possible plot to kill Mr. Zelensky.

He gave few, if any, details. He said he had "declared his readiness to act for the military intelligence of the Russian Federation and establish contacts with citizens of the Russian Federation directly involved in the war in Ukraine." »

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said on Friday police had also arrested two Polish citizens for attacking a senior aide with a hammer last month. Russian opponent Aleksei A. Navalny outside his home in Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania. The Polish leader said a Belarusian citizen, who allegedly ordered the attack on behalf of Moscow, had also been apprehended. Mr. Navalny died in a Russian prison in February.

“There will be no leniency for collaborators of the Russian services,” Mr. Tusk said in his statement Friday. He pledged to eradicate “any betrayal and attempt at destabilization.”

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