Number of sabotage suspects up in Lithuania - top prosecutor

VILNIUS - The number of suspects in pre-trial investigations into acts of sabotage in Lithuania is increasing, the country's Prosecutor General Nida Grunskiene says.

"I can only say we are having more suspects in these cases as we are working actively not only in Lithuania but also in other countries, and joint investigation teams have been set up and the number of suspects is increasing. But right now, I cannot give a specific number," the prosecutor told reporters on Thursday.

The number of suspects is growing in all cases "of sabotage, of terrorist acts", she said, and they include citizens of various countries.

Last year, Grunskiene said there were several ongoing pre-trial investigations in Lithuania into suspected sabotage operations.

A Vilnius court is now hearing the case of the Ikea store arson attack in Vilnius. A young Ukrainian national is standing trial on terrorism charges. He faces up to 10 years in prison.

Last year, an attempt to set fire to a military aid to Ukraine in Siauliai led to the arrest of two Spanish nationals on suspicion of terrorist acts.

"We are collecting data not only to identify the perpetrators, but also to identify the masterminds, which is why we are not providing all the information, so as not to jeopardize the pre-trial investigations," Grunskiene pointed out.