Two Polish Citizens Arrested for Assisting in Arson of Archer Thermal Imaging Plant in Czech Republic

On March 24, 2026, agents from the Polish Internal Security Agency (ABW) successfully executed an operation in the Mazowieckie Voivodeship, leading to the arrest of two Polish nationals accused of assisting in the intentional arson of the Archer LPP plant, known for producing Ukrainian thermal imaging devices in the Czech city of Pardubice.

According to information provided by the ABW, the first arrest was made on March 24, 2026, when a Polish citizen identified as Aleksandra Ż. was detained. Two days later, on March 26, another suspect, Polish citizen Filip B., was apprehended. The Mazowieckie District Prosecutor's Office in Warsaw has initiated an investigation based on materials collected by the ABW regarding the assistance provided by these individuals in causing the fire at the LPP HOLDING production facility headquartered in Pardubice, Czech Republic.

Prosecutors have indicated that the fire posed a significant threat to property and had a terrorist nature. In its statement, the ABW noted that these actions were part of a broader campaign aimed at destabilizing the operations of companies collaborating with the Israeli defense industry.

It is important to highlight that LPP HOLDING also collaborates with the Israeli conglomerate Elbit Systems in the production of drones, underscoring the company's significance in the context of international security and defense. During the investigation, an extremist organization calling itself The Earthquake Faction claimed responsibility for the crime, citing ideological motivations for their actions. They stated that their goal was to influence the activities of states and commercial entities linked to the Israeli defense industry.

The prosecutor has charged the detainees with aiding in the commission of a prohibited act that involved causing an event threatening substantial property. Despite the seriousness of the charges, the suspects have not admitted their guilt. On March 26 and 27, 2026, the District Court of Warsaw decided to impose a preventive measure of temporary detention for three months on both detainees.

The investigation into this case is ongoing, and law enforcement agencies continue to gather additional evidence and testimonies to clarify all circumstances surrounding the incident. This arrest has sparked widespread public interest, as arson and terrorist acts threatening companies involved in the defense industry are becoming increasingly common in today's world.

It is worth noting that on March 21, 2026, the Archer LPP facility, specializing in the production of Ukrainian thermal imaging devices, became a victim of arson perpetrated by unidentified individuals wearing masks. This incident raised alarm bells for law enforcement agencies, prompting them to take active measures to prevent similar crimes in the future.