In Prague, a Colombian national received an eight-year prison sentence on Monday for an arson attack and plotting an additional one, in a case suspected of having ties to Russia.
The judgment, delivered by Prague’s Municipal Court, also included an order for Andrés Alfonso de la Hoz de la Cruz to pay damages totaling 115,000 koruna (approximately $5,300).
This ruling followed a plea agreement between the prosecutors and De la Cruz, who admitted guilt. At 26 years old, De la Cruz was apprehended a year prior after he ignited three municipal buses at a Prague depot during the night. He reportedly filmed his actions before fleeing the scene.
Fortunately, local workers were able to put out the fire promptly.
According to the court, De la Cruz received directives through the Telegram messaging platform and was promised $3,000 for his activities. He had also been planning a subsequent attack, potentially targeting a movie theater in Prague.
Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala had earlier suggested that this thwarted arson attack might be part of a broader Russian hybrid warfare strategy aimed at the Czech Republic.
The nation, also known as Czechia, staunchly supports Ukraine as it continues to resist Russia’s large-scale invasion. Since February 24, 2022, when Moscow launched its full-scale assault, Western leaders have accused Russia and its affiliates of orchestrating multiple attacks and other disruptive incidents throughout Europe.
These disruptions are believed to be part of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s broader warfare tactics, designed to incite division within European communities and weaken their support for Ukraine.