Romania’s Directorate for Combating Organized Crime and Terrorism (DIICOT) has announced the arrest of a Colombian citizen who planned to organize explosions at the country’s facilities on Russia’s instructions.
The Colombian man planned to organize explosions – DIICOT
The 34-year-old Colombian was arrested by DIICOT officers, and on November 13, his case was taken to court, Adevarul reported.
According to investigators, in July 2024, at the instigation of another foreigner living in Russia, the man planned arson attacks and explosions at facilities in Romania “of particular importance that could threaten national security.”
The arrested man was able to film the facilities in question, but police intervention stopped the sabotage, DIICOT stated.
“During the month of July 2024, at the instigation of a suspect, a foreign citizen residing in the Russian Federation, the defendant carried out a documentation activity for the implementation of a plan to set on fire or destroy by explosion / fire some objectives in Romania, of particular importance, likely to jeopardize national security. Also, during the same period of time, the defendant proceeded to carry out on-site reconnaissance of the targets that he intended to destroy in the aforementioned ways, taking photographs and videotaping them. The criminal plan was not implemented due to the intervention of the police,” the DIICOT said.
The Colombian citizen reportedly served in the military and underwent intelligence-gathering training in his home country, according to the report. On the charges, he faces 10 to 20 years in prison in Romania.
“Destroying, degrading, or rendering useless, in whole or in part, by explosion, fire, or in any other way, industrial installations, communication routes, means of transportation, means of telecommunication, buildings, industrial or agricultural products, or other goods, if the act endangers national security, is punishable by imprisonment of 10 to 20 years and prohibition from exercising certain rights,” says Article 403 of the Penal Code.
Russian subversive activities in Europe
The trial of the Colombian was announced in the context of intensified Russian subversive activities in Europe.
Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavsky said that up to a hundred “suspicious incidents” in Europe in 2024 could be linked to Russia. There have already been a number of investigations and reports of Moscow’s sabotage and subversion in Europe.
“This year there were 500 suspicious incidents in Europe. Up to 100 of them can be attributed to Russian hybrid attacks, espionage, influence operations. We need to send a strong signal to Moscow that this won’t be tolerated,” Lipavsky was quoted as saying by Reuters.
In another case, reports surfaced in May about the capture of a Romanian citizen spying for Russia. The crime committed by the Romanian is considered treason. The man allegedly filmed and photographed military convoys passing through Romania and passed them on to the Kremlin through the Russian Embassy.
The evidence in the case revealed that, starting in 2022, he had been monitoring some Romanian or NATO military facilities located in the vicinity of the city of Tulcea, collecting military information and photographing military equipment and personnel movements in the border area with Ukraine, which he sent to diplomats from the Russian Embassy in Bucharest,” DIICOT said in a statement.
Recently, in the UK, an arrested man confessed to carrying out a Russian-instigated arson assault on a company connected to Ukraine.
Some recent incidents attributed to Russian agents include:
- In Germany, the arrest of two German-Russian nationals plotting attacks on military and logistics sites.
- In the UK, there was an arson attack on a warehouse storing humanitarian aid for Ukraine.
- In Sweden, several railway derailments are under investigation as potential sabotage.
- In the Czech Republic, attempts to disrupt railway signaling systems are traced back to Russian intelligence.
- In Estonia, attacks targeted a government minister’s car and journalists.
These developments are part of a broader Russian strategy of hybrid warfare against the West, openly acknowledged by Moscow. To conduct these operations, the Kremlin is leveraging its extensive intelligence network, which includes the Russian diaspora and connections with organized crime.
European countries are now concentrating on the dual threat this network poses, as it not only commits acts of sabotage but also engages in pro-Kremlin propaganda and disinformation campaigns, espionage, and conflict instigation within Europe.
This escalation reflects a significant shift in Russian tactics, suggesting a strategic attempt to destabilize Europe and test its security responses. However, many people in Europe do not grasp this threat.
Populist pro-Russian candidate’s success in presidential election
Populist, anti-European, and pro-Russian sentiments have increased in Romania, and propaganda has played a significant role in this. As a result, ultra-nationalist Kelin Georgescu sensationally finished first in the first round of the presidential election.
This week, far-right Romanian presidential candidate Calin Georgescu said that if he wins the election, he will ban the continued export of Ukrainian grain through his country and further military aid to Kyiv, Reuters reported.
Since Russia started an all-out war against Ukraine, Romania has helped export millions of tons of Ukrainian grain through its Black Sea port of Constanta, helped train Ukrainian pilots, and provided Kyiv with a Patriot air defense battery to help protect the country against Russian attacks. All of this will stop if he wins, Mr. Georgescu said.
