Warsaw: A Russian couple in Poland is facing trial on charges of spying for their home country. Prosecutors announced on Monday that the couple has been charged, in connection with allegedly gathering information on Russian opposition figures living in exile in Poland, and passing it on to the Russian domestic intelligence service, the FSB.

According to Ghana News Agency, the husband is also alleged to have been involved with accomplices in sending a parcel containing an explosive device. The Russian couple was arrested in July 2024, and they have been in custody ever since. Prosecutors allege the husband spied on Russian opposition figures and the Polish non-governmental organizations that support them, while his wife was responsible for passing the collected data on to the FSB.

The man is also accused of organizing the shipment of a parcel containing an explosive device together with a Russian compatriot and two Ukrainian citizens. It was discovered in a courier company’s warehouse near Lodz. The parcel’s contents included powerful explosives, Soviet-style electric detonators and a power bank.

Poland, a member of the EU and NATO, is one of the closest political and military allies of its neighbour Ukraine, which is under attack from Russia. Poland also sees itself as threatened by Russia.