Poland detains a Russian man over suspected espionage near railways

Police in Świdnica, in Poland's Lower Silesia region, detained a 55-year-old Russian who was photographing trains and railway infrastructure. They found professional camera gear and hundreds of thousands of files, including images of transport infrastructure in Poland and other countries.

He is charged with espionage under Article 130 of Poland's Criminal Code, which carries at least five years in prison, and a court ordered him held for three months. His name has not been released.

Background

Poland's special-services coordinator, Tomasz Siemoniak, called the arrest an exceptional case. He said Russian sabotage in Europe needs reconnaissance first, and its services have so far preferred paid local agents to sending Russians.