Задержанные подозреваемые. Фото: Генпрокуратура Украины
Lithuania’s Criminal Police Bureau and the Prosecutor General’s Office have revealed details of a case involving the planned killing of two people in Lithuania on political grounds. The case involves 13 suspects, including citizens of Russia, Belarus, Ukraine, Georgia, Latvia, Moldova, and Greece.
The pre-trial investigation was launched after a Russian citizen living in Lithuania contacted law enforcement in early 2025, saying he had discovered a tracking device in his car.
Lithuania’s Criminal Police Bureau determined that the Russian citizen’s life was in real danger. The alleged perpetrators and accomplices of the planned killing were identified. It was also established that the same group was planning the убийство of another person — a Lithuanian citizen.
In both cases, the victims were selected because of their political activities.
The investigation found that information about the victims had been illegally collected since the summer of 2024, including through technical surveillance means. This was carried out by citizens of Russia, Belarus, Ukraine, Georgia, Latvia, Moldova, and Greece who either lived in Lithuania or traveled to the country for this purpose. Lithuanian media reported two Belarusian citizens among those involved in the case.
The killings were to be carried out by Greek citizens, one of whom also holds Russian citizenship. The suspects are linked to the criminal underworld and in Lithuania actively contacted local criminal structures, inquiring about how to acquire a murder weapon and dispose of it, as well as asking about access to the victims’ places of residence and escape routes.
On March 12, 2025, the main suspects were detained in Vilnius. Other individuals linked to the group and the financing of the planned crimes were later identified.
In early 2026, an international police operation was carried out, during which searches took place in Poland, Ukraine, and Greece. Several more suspects were detained. It was also established that the заказчики were acting in the interests of Russia’s GRU.
“The pre-trial investigation also established that the individuals acted with terrorist intent. Outside Lithuania, they allegedly collected data on military infrastructure and may have been involved in organizing arson attacks on military equipment intended to support Ukraine, as well as in other activities. These actions were planned and coordinated as part of a broader terrorist operation,” the Criminal Police Bureau said.
Charges have been brought against 13 individuals. Of these, nine have been detained, while European arrest warrants have been issued for four others, who are currently being sought. Three suspects detained abroad have been transferred to Lithuania. The transfer of two more individuals is under consideration.
As previously reported by Lithuanian media, the targets of the planned killings were Bashkir national movement leader Ruslan Gabbasov and Lithuanian public figure Valdas Bartkevičius.