标签： Europe

Lithuanian prosecutors have charged 15 individuals with terrorism offences in connection with an alleged Russian-backed plot involving explosive parcels sent to Germany, Poland, and the UK. The suspects are accused of using delivery services DHL and DPD to send four packages containing explosives concealed within cosmetics containers from Vilnius, Lithuania. Three of the parcels ignited in July last year, causing fires in Leipzig, Germany; near Warsaw, Poland; and in Minworth, UK. The fourth parcel failed to detonate due to a technical malfunction. Lithuanian investigators claim the operation was orchestrated by individuals linked to Russian military intelligence, with the aim of sabotaging flights to the US and Canada. Russia has consistently denied involvement in such activities, despite repeated allegations from NATO countries. The explosive devices were reportedly triggered by electronic timers hidden in vibrating massage pillows. Among the 15 charged are citizens of Russia, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, and Ukraine, though it remains unclear how many are currently in custody. The suspects are also accused of orchestrating an arson attack on an Ikea store in Vilnius last year. Western security officials have previously suggested that the incidents were part of a coordinated campaign by Russia’s GRU military intelligence agency.

Yulia Navalnaya, the widow of the late Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, has publicly accused the Kremlin of orchestrating her husband’s death through poisoning. In a compelling video statement shared on social media, Navalnaya revealed that independent laboratories in two countries had analyzed smuggled biological samples, concluding that Navalny was murdered. While she did not disclose specific details about the poison or the laboratories involved, she urged them to release their findings publicly, despite what she described as ‘political considerations’ preventing transparency.

Navalny, a prominent anti-corruption activist and fierce critic of President Vladimir Putin, died suddenly on February 16, 2024, while serving a prison sentence in an Arctic penal colony. His death came three years after he was poisoned with a Novichok nerve agent in 2020, an incident that led to his treatment in Germany and subsequent arrest upon his return to Russia. Navalny’s supporters and his Anti-Corruption Foundation (FBK) have consistently alleged that the Russian government was complicit in his demise.

Navalnaya recounted her husband’s final days, citing testimonies from penal colony employees. She described how Navalny fell ill during a walk, suffered convulsions, and vomited before collapsing in his cell. Despite his visible distress, an ambulance was not called until 40 minutes later, and he died shortly thereafter. Prison authorities initially attributed his death to ‘sudden death syndrome,’ while state investigators later cited a medical condition and arrhythmia.

Navalny’s associates have shared previously unseen images of his cell and the exercise yard where he spent his last moments. Navalnaya, who faces potential arrest herself, vowed to continue seeking justice, declaring, ‘I affirm that Vladimir Putin is guilty of killing my husband.’ She also emphasized Navalny’s role as a symbol of hope for a better future in Russia, a sentiment echoed by the thousands who attended his funeral in Moscow despite government warnings.

The Kremlin has remained largely silent on the matter, with spokesman Dmitry Peskov claiming unawareness of Navalnaya’s statements. President Putin briefly acknowledged Navalny’s death a month later, describing it as a ‘sad event’ and revealing that a prisoner swap involving Navalny had been considered but was ultimately abandoned. Navalny’s death has left a void in Russia’s opposition movement, with many of his associates either imprisoned or in exile, and civil society increasingly suppressed under punitive laws enacted after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

Calin Georgescu, a far-right former presidential candidate in Romania, has been formally charged with attempting to orchestrate a coup following the annulment of the first round of the 2024 presidential election. The charges also extend to Horatiu Potra, a former French legionnaire and militia leader in the Democratic Republic of Congo, along with 20 other individuals. The case centers on a foiled raid planned for December 8 in Bucharest, which authorities claim was part of a broader scheme to destabilize Romania’s constitutional order. Prosecutors allege that Georgescu and Potra collaborated with foreign intelligence operatives, particularly from Russia, to execute the plot. Evidence includes a meeting between Georgescu and Potra at a horse farm shortly after the election annulment, which Georgescu initially denied but later admitted to after photographic proof emerged. In February, police raids uncovered weapons, gold, and cash, allegedly intended for a violent power grab. Potra, currently abroad, is believed to be seeking asylum in Russia. The 2024 election was marred by accusations of Russian interference, with Romanian intelligence citing a large-scale influence operation involving cyberattacks, disinformation campaigns, and social media manipulation. Over 2,000 Facebook pages and 20,000 TikTok accounts were reportedly used to amplify pro-Georgescu messaging. After being barred from the rerun election, Georgescu’s ally, George Simion of the far-right AUR party, stepped in but ultimately lost to pro-EU candidate Nicusor Dan. Georgescu has accused Romanian authorities of ruling through ‘deceit, intrigue, and division,’ while President Dan has labeled the prosecutors’ report as proof of Russia’s systematic disinformation efforts. A trial date for Georgescu is expected in early 2026.

In a dramatic display of military might, Belarus and Russia have launched their joint military exercises, codenamed ‘Zapad-2025’ (West 2025), at the Borisovsky training ground, located 45 miles from Minsk. The drills, which occur every four years, feature a series of simulated combat scenarios, including guided bomb drops by Sukhoi-34 bombers, artillery shelling, and helicopter gunship attacks. Surveillance drones hover overhead, capturing the intensity of the maneuvers. Despite the spectacle, Belarusian and Russian officials insist the exercises are purely defensive, aimed at bolstering the security of both nations against potential external threats. However, the timing of the drills has raised eyebrows, coinciding with heightened tensions in Eastern Europe. Poland, in particular, has expressed concern, with Prime Minister Donald Tusk labeling the exercises as ‘very aggressive.’ The drills also come amid ongoing conflict in Ukraine, where Russia continues its military operations. In a bid for transparency, Belarus invited international media and military attachés from 23 countries, including the US, Turkey, and Hungary, to observe the exercises. Major General Valery Revenko, assistant to the Belarusian defense minister, emphasized the unprecedented openness of the event, stating, ‘We are not threatening anyone. We are for constructive and pragmatic dialogue.’ Yet, recent incidents, such as Russian drone incursions into Polish and Romanian airspace, have fueled fears that these exercises may be part of a broader strategy to test NATO’s resolve. While both Russia and Belarus have sought to improve relations with Washington, their ties with Europe remain strained. The ‘Zapad-2025’ drills serve as a stark reminder of the military capabilities on Europe’s doorstep, sending a clear message to the West: confrontation with Moscow may not be in their best interest.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has urged the international community to exclude Israel from global sports competitions and cultural events, citing its actions in Gaza. Speaking to members of his Socialist Workers’ Party, Sánchez argued that Israel should not be allowed to use international platforms to ‘whitewash its image,’ drawing parallels to Russia’s exclusion following its invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Sánchez’s remarks have sparked a heated diplomatic row, with Israel’s Foreign Minister Gideon Saar labeling the Spanish leader ‘a disgrace’ and accusing him of inciting pro-Palestinian protests in Madrid. These protests led to the cancellation of the final stage of the Vuelta a España cycling race, which included an Israeli team. Sánchez defended the protests, stating that Spain ‘shines as an example, with pride’ on the Gaza issue. Several Spanish ministers echoed his sentiments, with Digital Transformation Minister Óscar López describing Israel’s actions as ‘genocide,’ a claim Israel vehemently denies, asserting its actions are acts of self-defense. Culture Minister Ernest Urtasun also called for Israel’s exclusion from the next Eurovision Song Contest, a stance supported by public broadcasters in Ireland and the Netherlands, who cited the ‘appalling’ loss of life in Gaza. The strained relationship between Spain and Israel has worsened since late 2023, when Sánchez expressed concerns over civilian deaths in Gaza. In 2024, Spain joined Norway and Ireland in recognizing a Palestinian state, and Sánchez recently accused Israel of genocide, announcing measures including an arms embargo. Israel has countered by accusing Sánchez’s administration of antisemitism and using ‘wild and hateful rhetoric.’ A recent poll by the Elcano Royal Institute found that 82% of Spaniards believe genocide is occurring in Gaza. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has also called for a suspension of free trade and bilateral support with Israel, citing a ‘man-made famine’ in Gaza. Israel, however, denies causing famine, blaming aid agencies and Hamas for delays in aid distribution. The UN-backed IPC confirmed famine in parts of Gaza in August, attributing it to Israel’s restrictions on food and medical aid. Israel launched its military campaign in Gaza in response to Hamas’s October 7, 2023, attack, which killed 1,200 Israelis and took 251 hostages. Since then, over 64,871 Palestinians have been killed, according to Gaza’s Hamas-run health ministry.