PRAGUE – Czech law enforcement officials announced Saturday they have apprehended two additional suspects linked to last month’s arson incident at a defense manufacturing facility in the country’s eastern region.
The fire occurred March 20 at an industrial facility in Pardubice, located approximately 75 miles east of the Czech capital. A pro-Palestinian activist organization, previously unknown to authorities, has taken credit for the attack.
Since the blaze targeted facilities operated by Czech defense contractor LPP Holding, law enforcement had already announced the arrest of five individuals, including suspects from Egypt and the United States.
Polish law enforcement revealed Wednesday that two Polish nationals were also taken into custody in relation to the incident.
Czech officials confirmed Saturday that one person was detained that day, while another individual was apprehended Friday in Bulgaria, with extradition proceedings expected to follow. Both suspects are foreign nationals, according to Czech authorities.
The activist organization claiming responsibility stated online that the targeted company was manufacturing weapons for Israel. While LPP Holding had announced intentions in 2023 to partner with Israeli defense firm Elbit Systems, the company maintains those collaboration plans were never executed.
LPP’s manufacturing operations include drone production for export to Ukraine, which continues defending against Russian military forces following Moscow’s comprehensive invasion in 2022.
