Czech Republic investigating nighttime fire at defense complex as possible terrorist attack - media

The Czech Republic is investigating a nighttime fire at the LPP Holding defense complex in Pardubice as a possible deliberate attack. The incident occurred at a warehouse and spread to another building, according to firefighters, there were no injuries.

This was reported by Reuters.

According to the agency, a group of protesters against Israeli weapons claimed responsibility for setting fire to a "key production center" of Israeli weapons in Pardubice, saying that this should "end its role in the genocide in Gaza."

Police initially checked whether the incident was deliberate and investigated public statements about a specific group, without naming it, later investigators from the security services opened an investigation under the article of the Criminal Code on terrorism.

"The Czech defense company LPP Holding, which has a production site at the complex, confirmed the fire at one of its facilities. But the company said that plans announced in 2023 to cooperate with the Israeli company Elbit Systems in the production of drones were never implemented," the report said.

Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babiš said he would convene a meeting of the State Security Council in connection with the incident.

LPP Holding develops technologies for military drones (which, incidentally, are also used by the Armed Forces of Ukraine). Back in 2023, the company officially announced plans for close cooperation with the well-known Israeli military company Elbit Systems, which made the plant a target for the anti-Israeli group.