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German police arrest two suspected of planning sabotage attacks for Russia, Spiegel says

By Thomson Reuters Oct 28, 2026 | 12:06 PM

Oct 28 (Reuters) – Police have arrested two Belarusian nationals suspected of planning sabotage attacks in southern Germany, the Munich ​General Prosecutor’s Office said on ‌Wednesday, with Der Spiegel magazine reporting they were working on behalf of Russia.

The suspects allegedly planned to set fire to a building or critical ‌infrastructure ​facility in the Nuremberg area, ⁠the prosecutor’s office ⁠told Reuters.

It added that the suspects — two men, aged 39 and 50 — had acted on behalf of a foreign government ​or organization, and for payment. They have been in custody since October 7. ⁠It did not name ⁠the country they are suspected ​of working for.

Moscow has repeatedly denied accusations made ​by Germany and others of carrying out ‌sabotage attacks.

Der Spiegel reported that Romanian authorities are also investigating the two men for suspected involvement in an arson attack on ⁠an industrial park in the Romanian city of Brasov on the night of September 14, the ⁠site of ‌a defence firm making grenade ⁠launchers and ammunition.

Romanian organized crime ​prosecutors ‌have said they are seeking the ​extradition ⁠of the two suspects apprehended in Germany and one Ukrainian detained in Poland who were all suspected of involvement in the arson case.

(Writing by Matthias WilliamsEditing by Linda Pasquini, ​Alexandra Hudson)