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Russian couple sentenced for spying in Poland after parcel blast probe

By Thomson Reuters Jul 9, 2026 | 6:02 AM

WARSAW, July 9 (Reuters) – A Russian husband and wife were convicted of spying for Moscow by ​a Polish court and sentenced ‌to prison, prosecutors said on Thursday, with one of them also found guilty of involvement in a plot to send ‌a ​parcel bomb.

European authorities have ⁠been on high ⁠alert for explosive packages since a series of blasts at courier depots in Britain, Germany and near ​the Polish capital, Warsaw, in July 2024. Authorities blamed those incidents ⁠on Russia.

Moscow has repeatedly ⁠denied such accusations.

The man, ​identified only as Igor R. under Polish ​privacy laws, was convicted by a ‌court in the southern city of Sosnowiec of participating in a scheme to send a parcel bomb ⁠through a courier service.

Igor R. and his wife, Irina, were also found guilty of ⁠providing ‌Russian intelligence with information on ⁠Russian opposition activists living ​in ‌Poland, as well as the ​individuals and ⁠institutions assisting them.

The man was sentenced to seven years in prison, while his wife received a three-year prison term.

(Reporting by Anna Koper; Editing by ​Ros Russell)