Russian ‘spies’ arrested after ‘spraying chemicals on soldiers’ faces during burglary of arms factory’
THREE Russian “spies” have been arrested after trying to break into an arms factory in Albania, local media report.
One of the intruders is said to have sprayed chemicals on soldiers guarding the facility in downtown Gramsh during the break-in.
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A physical fight ensued between the Russians and an Albanian security guard, the Albanian daily reported.
The director of the Uzina e Municioneve factory, Lorenc Zani, said two Albanian soldiers were hospitalized after Saturday night’s attack.
They were taken to a hospital in the capital, Tirana, about 70 miles from the factory.
Kreshnik Ajazi, head of the prosecutor’s office for the Elbasan district where the attack took place, confirmed to ABC that three Russians have been arrested and are being investigated by anti-terrorist police officers in the Balkan country.
Two of the men are said to have Russian and one Ukrainian passport.
Photographic equipment was found on the trio and confiscated, and photos of the facility were found on memory cards.
It is not clear why the men targeted the Gramsh factory, but it is believed to contain military weapons.
In a statement, Albania’s Defense Ministry said: “Tonight an incident occurred at the military plant in Gramsh.
“Three citizens with Russian and Ukrainian passports tried to enter the factory.
“The officers guarding the facility reacted immediately, but during efforts to stop the three foreigners, two of our soldiers were injured, being treated by doctors at Tirana Accident Hospital.
“The foreign nationals have been arrested by the authorities while the investigation into the circumstances of the incident continues.”
Reuters reported how the Gramsh plant was used to manufacture the Russian-type AK-47 rifle during the period of communist rule under Enver Hoxha.
However, since 1993 the factory has not produced any weapons.
Until 2004 the plant assembled and adjusted weapons, then the plant was used for disassembling weapons until last year.
But the factory continued to be guarded by the Albanian army, Albanian news site Telegrafi reported.
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https://www.the-sun.com/news/6043758/albania-weapons-factory-russian-spies-arrested/ Russian ‘spies’ arrested after ‘spraying chemicals on soldiers’ faces during burglary of arms factory’