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A suspected international plot with elements of espionage has unfolded in Greece, where authorities arrested a 55-year-old Greek from the former Soviet Union in Thessaloniki, accused of involvement in a network allegedly planning assassinations in Lithuania.<\/p>\n
According to judicial documents from a Vilnius regional court, the group is believed to have operated on behalf of Russian intelligence services. The alleged targets were Russian exile activist Ruslan Gabbasov, who has political asylum in Lithuania, and Lithuanian national Valdas Bartkevicius, a vocal critic of Russian President Vladimir Putin. Both planned killings were ultimately thwarted.<\/p>\n
Investigators say the operation began in January 2025, when the Thessaloniki suspect allegedly participated in early communications with a Georgian intermediary tasked with recruiting hitmen. Two individuals agreed to carry out the attacks for \u20ac40,000 each. The suspects reportedly received photos of both targets via WhatsApp and conducted surveillance in Vilnius, tracking daily routines and movements. Messages cited in the case include statements such as: \u201cThis is his house, but he is not here, we will see him tomorrow,\u201d and, \u201cHe is next.\u201d<\/p>\n
Authorities allege that operatives mapped security cameras, monitored residences, and even placed a tracking device on Gabbasov\u2019s car. Surveillance material was shared via encrypted apps with a figure identified only as \u201cKarl,\u201d described as a higher-ranking coordinator.<\/p>\n
Funds were transferred to facilitate travel and logistics, including a \u20ac5,000 transfer sent from Thessaloniki. The suspects also sought to procure a weapon, with one senior member allegedly purchasing a speargun. Lithuanian authorities carried out raids on March 12, 2025, arresting several suspects and issuing European warrants for others. The Thessaloniki suspect, arrested in February, denies the charges and is contesting extradition, citing risk to his life. Greek courts have approved the extradition request, pending a final ruling.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n