Romanian authorities have issued a warrant for the preventive arrest in absentia of a 35-year-old Cuban citizen residing in the Russian Federation, suspected of coordinating the attempted sabotage thwarted in 2024 in Ilfov County. According to DIICOT, the individual allegedly collaborated directly with Russian intelligence services. [1]

According to the prosecution, between June and July 2024, the Cuban influenced a co-defendant of Colombian nationality, admitting that he offered him money, to travel to Romania and carry out documentation activities to implement a plan to set fire to or destroy strategic objectives by explosion. He conducted reconnaissance, took photographs, and filmed the selected targets, activities considered acts of execution of the crime. [1]

The criminal plot was not completed due to the intervention of the police. The Colombian, identified earlier as the physical instigator of the action, was definitively sentenced to six years in prison on September 22, 2025. The Cuban under investigation in Romania is also known to the authorities of the USA, Latvia, Poland, and the Czech Republic, where he is being investigated for coordinating similar acts of sabotage. [1]

As the story develops

Update

DIICOT: Details of the international wanted notice for the Cuban

According to the prosecution, in July 2024, at the instigation of a foreign national suspect residing in the Russian Federation, the co-defendant carried out documentation activities to implement a plan to set fire to or destroy strategic objectives of special importance in Romania, which posed a threat to national security. The defendant conducted field reconnaissance of the targets he intended to destroy, taking photographs and filming them, activities considered acts of execution of the crime. The plan was not finalized due to police intervention. The date of issuance of the warrant for preventive arrest in absentia was November 2, according to the Bucharest Court of Appeal. The judge for rights and freedoms admitted the proposal for preventive detention for a period of 30 days, calculated starting from the date of execution of the warrant against the Colombian co-defendant. According to investigators, the Cuban defendant influenced the Colombian (definitively sentenced to 6 years in prison on September 22, 2025) to travel to Romania and carry out documentation activities through the provision of money. [3] [2]

The investigations revealed that the defendant (the Colombian sentenced to 6 years) served his military service in the armed forces of his country of origin, receiving training in intelligence gathering activities. The US Department of Justice confirmed, in a public statement, the Cuban's affiliation with the Russian Federation's intelligence services. The Cuban is under investigation in Latvia, Poland, and the Czech Republic for coordinating acts of sabotage. [3] [2]

The Colombian Murillo Diosa Luis Alfonso was sentenced by the Bucharest Court of Appeal on June 4, 2025, to six years in prison for attempted diversionary acts. In the decision from June 2025, the court deducted the duration of custody (August 1-2, 2024) from the sentence of 6 years imprisonment and maintained the preventive detention. On November 13, 2024, DIICOT sent the Colombian citizen to trial for attempted diversionary acts. The targeted objectives were located near a complex in Ilfov County, including a recyclable waste depot, two oil extraction wells, and a gas regulation/measurement station. Between July 28 and 30, 2024, the Colombian conducted reconnaissance of the objectives, identifying access and escape routes. [2]

On July 28, 2024, the Colombian arrived in Romania by air on the route Medellín-Madrid-Mykonos-Bucharest Otopeni, then moving to a hotel in the capital. On July 29, 2024, he traveled to a complex in Ilfov County to conduct reconnaissance missions and take photographs. Investigations revealed that the Colombian, with military training, was searching online for information on manufacturing explosive/fire devices, confirming his intention to destroy strategic objectives. The Romanian Intelligence Service (SRI) revealed that Russian authorities falsely posted on Telegram channels an image of a fire in Bragadiru (Teleorman, caused by a short circuit), incorrectly presenting it as a sabotage operation by a Ukrainian group against a logistics center for Ukraine. [2]

Update

DIICOT: A Cuban from Russian intelligence services wanted internationally for the 2024 sabotage plot

The Bucharest Court of Appeal admitted on November 2 the request for issuing a warrant for preventive arrest in absentia for the 35-year-old Cuban, suspected of coordinating the attempted sabotage. The period of preventive detention is 30 days, calculated starting from the date of execution of the warrant against the Colombian co-defendant. [5]

Investigators clarify that between June and July 2024, by offering sums of money, the Cuban defendant determined the Colombian co-defendant (definitively sentenced on September 22, 2025) to travel to Romania to carry out documentation activities aimed at setting fire to or destroying strategic objectives by explosion, which threatened national security. [5]

DIICOT established that the plan went beyond the phase of intent, entering the stage of operational preparation. The Colombian co-defendant conducted field reconnaissance of target objectives, taking photographs and filming, acts considered execution of the crime. The authorities' attachment to investigating this case is supported by the fact that the Cuban is also under investigation in the United States, Latvia, Poland, and the Czech Republic. [5]

The US Department of Justice confirmed, in a public statement, the Cuban suspect's affiliation with the Russian Federation's intelligence services. The suspect is known to European and American authorities and is being investigated for coordinating similar acts of sabotage in multiple countries. [5]

The objectives targeted by the sabotage plan were located near a complex in Ilfov County, including a recyclable waste depot, two oil extraction wells, and a natural gas regulation and measurement station. [5]

The Colombian citizen Murillo Diosa Luis Alfonso was sentenced on June 4, 2025 (final decision on September 22, 2025) to six years in prison for attempted diversionary acts, with the punishment adjusted for the duration of custody. He arrived in Romania on July 28, 2024, by air on the route Medellín-Madrid-Mykonos-Bucharest Otopeni, and moved to a hotel in the capital before starting reconnaissance of the objectives between July 28 and 30. [5]

The investigation revealed that the Colombian, with military training and service in the armed forces of his country, searched online for information on manufacturing explosive or fire devices, confirming his intention to destroy strategic objectives. In the context of the investigation, the SRI informed that Russian authorities falsely distributed on Telegram channels images of a fire in Bragadiru, Teleorman (caused by a short circuit), incorrectly presenting it as a sabotage operation by a Ukrainian group against a logistics center. [5]

Update

DIICOT: A Cuban with links to Russian intelligence services wanted for sabotage

Oemis Romagoza Durruthy, a 35-year-old Cuban citizen with residence in the Russian Federation, has been put on international wanted list after Judges at the Bucharest Court of Appeal admitted, on November 2, 2026, DIICOT prosecutors' proposal for issuing a warrant for preventive arrest in absentia. He is accused of instigation of diversionary acts and is suspected of coordinating the attempted sabotage revealed in 2024 in Ilfov County. [4]

The US Department of Justice publicly confirmed Oemis Romagoza Durruthy's affiliation with the Russian Federation's intelligence services. Washington included him on the list of persons targeted in Moscow's global campaign for surveillance and attacks against civilian and military infrastructure in Ukraine's allied countries, including Europe. [4]

The investigation captured how the Cuban determined through payment a Colombian co-defendant, Murillo Diosa Luis Alfonso, to carry out documentation activities to implement a plan to set fire to or destroy strategic objectives by explosion. The Colombian, already definitively sentenced to 6 years in prison, conducted field reconnaissance, photographs, and filming of the targets, activities considered acts of execution of the crime. The plan was thwarted by the police before the attacks could occur. [4]

Colombian Murillo Diosa Luis Alfonso, sentenced to 6 years in prison on June 4, 2025 (final decision confirmed on September 22, 2025), arrived in Romania on July 28, 2024, by air on the route Medellín-Madrid-Mykonos-Bucharest Otopeni. He gathered online information about manufacturing explosive devices, with targets including a recyclable waste depot, two oil extraction wells, and a gas station in Ilfov County. [4]

Oemis Romagoza Durruthy is under investigation by judicial authorities in the United States, Latvia, Poland, and the Czech Republic for coordinating similar acts of sabotage and has been placed on a wanted list. In Romania, the period of preventive detention is 30 days, calculated starting from the date of execution of the warrant. [4]

The investigation also included counter-intelligence aspects; the Romanian Intelligence Service (SRI) revealed that Russian authorities falsely distributed on Telegram channels images of a fire caused by a short circuit in Bragadiru (Teleorman). These false materials were incorrectly presented as operations by Ukrainian groups. [4]

Update

DIICOT: Warrant for arrest in absentia for Cuban Oemis Romagoza Durruthy, suspected of coordinating the 2024 sabotage

Judges at the Bucharest Court of Appeal admitted on November 2, 2026, DIICOT's request for issuing a warrant for preventive arrest in absentia for the 35-year-old Cuban Oemis Romagoza Durruthy, residing in the Russian Federation. He is under investigation for instigation of diversionary acts, given that he coordinated the attempted sabotage in Ilfov County in 2024. [6]

DIICOT prosecutors point out that between June and July 2024, the Cuban defendant offered sums of money to a Colombian co-defendant (Murillo Diosa Luis Alfonso, definitively sentenced to 6 years imprisonment on September 22, 2025), determining him to travel to Romania to carry out documentation activities. The aim was to implement a plan to set fire to or destroy strategic objectives of special importance, which threatened national security. [6]

Investigators believe the plan went beyond the phase of intent, entering the stage of operational preparations. The Colombian, with military training and service in the armed forces of his home country, conducted field reconnaissance of target objectives, taking photographs and filming, acts considered execution of the crime. The targeted objectives were located near a complex in Ilfov County, including a recyclable waste depot, two oil extraction wells, and a natural gas regulation and measurement station. The plan was thwarted by the police before the attacks occurred. [6]

The US Department of Justice publicly confirmed via a statement Oemis Romagoza Durruthy's affiliation with the Russian Federation's intelligence services. Washington included him on the list of persons targeted in Moscow's global campaign for surveillance and attacks against civilian and military infrastructure in Ukraine's allied countries, including Europe. [6]

The suspect is known to European and American authorities and is being investigated for coordinating similar acts of sabotage in the United States, Latvia, Poland, and the Czech Republic. In Romania, the period of preventive detention is 30 days, calculated starting from the date of execution of the warrant against the Colombian co-defendant. [6]

The investigation included counter-intelligence aspects. The Romanian Intelligence Service (SRI) informed that Russian authorities falsely distributed on Telegram channels images of a fire in Bragadiru, Teleorman (caused by a short circuit), incorrectly presenting them as operations by Ukrainian groups against a logistics center. [6]

Update

DIICOT confirms the identity of the Cuban from Russian intelligence services, suspected of coordinating the sabotage in Ilfov

DIICOT has confirmed that Oemis Romagoza Durruthy, a 35-year-old Cuban citizen with residence in the Russian Federation, is the main suspect who coordinated the attempted sabotage in 2024 in Ilfov County, triggering an international wanted notice. The Bucharest Court of Appeal admitted on November 2, 2026, DIICOT's proposal for issuing a warrant for preventive arrest in absentia for Oemis Romagoza Durruthy, under investigation for instigation of diversionary acts. [7]

DIICOT's investigation shows that the plan aimed to set fire to or destroy strategic Romanian objectives, of special importance for national security. The warrant for preventive detention was issued for a period of 30 days, calculated starting from the moment of execution of the warrant against the Colombian co-defendant. [7]

Between June and July 2024, Oemis Romagoza Durruthy influenced the Colombian co-defendant, Murillo Diosa Luis Alfonso, by offering money, to travel to Romania to carry out documentation activities aimed at implementing the criminal plan. Murillo Diosa Luis Alfonso, with military training, conducted field reconnaissance of target objectives, taking photographs and filming, acts considered execution phases of the crime. The plan was disarmed by the police. [7]

Oemis Romagoza Durruthy is also under investigation in the United States, Latvia, Poland, and the Czech Republic for coordinating similar acts of sabotage. The US Department of Justice publicly confirmed, via a statement, the Cuban suspect's affiliation with the Russian Federation's intelligence services. [7]

The court mentioned that the targeted objectives were located near a complex in Ilfov County, including a recyclable waste depot, two oil extraction wells, and a natural gas regulation/measurement station. In the context of the investigation, the Romanian Intelligence Service (SRI) pointed out that Russian authorities falsely distributed on Telegram channels images of a fire in Bragadiru, Teleorman (caused by a short circuit), incorrectly presenting it as a sabotage operation by a Ukrainian group. [7]

Update

DIICOT: A Cuban from Russian intelligence services wanted internationally for the 2024 sabotage plot

On November 2, 2026, the Bucharest Court of Appeal admitted DIICOT's proposal regarding the issuance of a warrant for preventive arrest in absentia for Oemis Romagoza Durruthy, a 35-year-old Cuban citizen with residence in the Russian Federation. He is suspected of instigation of diversionary acts and is accused of coordinating the attempted sabotage in Ilfov County in 2024, has been placed on an international wanted list by the Romanian Police, and was officially confirmed by the US Department of Justice as a member of Russian intelligence services. In Romania, the period of preventive detention is 30 days, calculated starting from the date of execution of the warrant. [8]

DIICOT's investigation shows that between June and July 2024, Oemis Romagoza Durruthy offered sums of money to a Colombian co-defendant, Murillo Diosa Luis Alfonso, determining him to travel to Romania to carry out documentation activities. The aim was to implement a plan to set fire to or destroy strategic objectives of special importance for national security. The Colombian, with military training, conducted field reconnaissance, photographs, and filming of the targets, acts considered execution of the crime. The plan was thwarted by the police before the attacks occurred. [8]

On July 28, 2024, the Colombian arrived in Romania by air on the route Medellín-Madrid-Mykonos-Bucharest Otopeni, then moving to a hotel in the capital. On July 29, 2024, he carried out reconnaissance missions and photographs. Investigations revealed that the Colombian, with military training, searched online for information on manufacturing explosive/fire devices, confirming his intention to destroy strategic objectives. [8]

Update

DIICOT: Warrant for arrest in absentia for Oemis Durruthy Romagoza, suspected of coordinating the 2024 sabotage

The Bucharest Court of Appeal issued, at DIICOT's request, a warrant for arrest in absentia for Oemis Durruthy Romagoza, a 35-year-old Cuban citizen with domicile in the Russian Federation, accused of paying a Colombian to blow up strategic objectives in Romania. He was placed on an international wanted list by the Romanian Police. US authorities confirmed, via a public statement published by the US Department of Justice, the Cuban's affiliation with the Russian Federation's intelligence services. Murillo Diosa Luis Alfonso, the accused Colombian citizen, serves a 6-year prison sentence starting from September 2025 for attempted diversionary acts. DIICOT announced on November 2, 2026, that the judge for rights and freedoms admitted the proposal for preventive detention in absentia for Oemis Romagoza Durruthy, for a period of 30 days, calculated from the execution of the warrant against the Colombian co-defendant (definitively sentenced on 22.09.2025). According to the criminal prosecution documents, between June-July 2024, the Cuban defendant determined the Colombian, by offering money, to travel to Romania and carry out documentation activities for setting fire to or destroying by explosion objectives of special importance for national security. Murillo Diosa Luis Alfonso conducted field reconnaissance of the objectives and took photographs and films, acts considered execution phases of the crime. The plan was thwarted by the police before completion. Oemis Romagoza Durruthy is also under investigation by judicial authorities in Latvia, Poland, and the Czech Republic for coordinating similar acts of sabotage on their territories. [9]

Murillo Diosa Luis Alfonso arrived in Romania on July 28, 2024, at Bucharest-Otopeni, after a route through Medellín, Madrid, and Mykonos. On July 29, 2024, he traveled to a locality in Ilfov County for reconnaissance of an area including a recyclable waste depot, two oil wells, and a gas station. The Colombian, trained militarily in intelligence gathering, searched online for information on manufacturing explosive devices, confirming the intention to destroy the objectives by explosions or fires, things that threatened national security. Investigators claim that the plan was defined by a person from Russia. Wiretaps and military training demonstrated precise knowledge of the objectives: oil wells, a gas station, and plastic mass warehouses. [9]

The SRI contributed to neutralizing the plan. Investigators identified a Russian disinformation campaign: Russian authorities falsely distributed on Telegram channels images of a fire in Bragadiru (caused by a short circuit), presenting it as a Ukrainian sabotage operation against a logistics center. [9]

Update

DIICOT: A Cuban from Russian intelligence services wanted internationally for the 2024 sabotage plot

Oemis Romagoza Durruthy, a 35-year-old Cuban citizen with residence in the Russian Federation and member of the Cuban diaspora in Russia, is subject to international wanted after being placed on wanted status in Romania, the United States, Latvia, Poland, and the Czech Republic. DIICOT announced that the Bucharest Court of Appeal admitted on November 2, 2026, the proposal for issuing a warrant for preventive arrest in absentia for Romagoza Durruthy, under investigation for instigation of diversionary acts. [10]

Update

DIICOT: A Cuban from Russian intelligence services is the author of the 2024 sabotage plan

DIICOT investigators established that the sabotages to be carried out in Romania in 2024 by a Colombian citizen were planned under the order of Oemis Durruthy Romagoza, a 35-year-old Cuban with residence in the Russian Federation and member of Russian intelligence services. [11]

The Bucharest Court of Appeal admitted on November 2, 2026, DIICOT's request for issuing a warrant for preventive arrest in absentia for Romagoza, who is accused of instigation of diversionary acts. [11]

Oemis Durruthy Romagoza, born in Cuba but domiciled in the Russian Federation, is on an international wanted list by the Romanian Police and is under investigation in the United States, Latvia, Poland, and the Czech Republic for coordinating similar acts of sabotage. Romagoza's affiliation with the Russian Federation's intelligence services was publicly confirmed by the US Department of Justice, which included him on the list of persons targeted in Moscow's global campaign for surveillance and attacks against civilian and military infrastructure in Ukraine's allied countries. [11]

The Colombian defendant, Murillo Diosa Luis Alfonso, serves a 6-year prison sentence starting from September 2025 for attempted diversionary acts. The Colombian Murillo Diosa Luis Alfonso, definitively sentenced on September 22, 2025, serves his sentence in Romania and had been determined by Romagoza, through payment of sums of money, to carry out documentation activities aimed at attacking strategic Romanian objectives. DIICOT announced that Romagoza's warrant was issued one year after the Colombian's conviction, highlighting his central role in instigation. [11]

The judge for rights and freedoms at the Bucharest Court of Appeal issued the warrant for preventive detention for a period of 30 days, calculated starting from the execution of the warrant against the Colombian co-defendant. Between June and July 2024, Romagoza determined Murillo Diosa Luis Alfonso to travel to Romania and carry out documentation activities for setting fire to or destroying by explosion objectives of special importance, capable of threatening national security. Murillo Diosa Luis Alfonso conducted field reconnaissance and took photographs and films of the target objectives, acts considered execution phases of the crime, the plan being defused by the police before completion. [11]

The investigations highlighted that Oemis Durruthy Romagoza is a member of the Cuban diaspora in Russia and is subject to international wanted in Romania, the United States, Latvia, Poland, and the Czech Republic. US authorities, through the US Department of Justice, confirmed Romagoza's affiliation with Russian intelligence services, highlighting the direct link with the sabotage campaign. Romagoza is also under investigation by judicial authorities in Latvia, Poland, and the Czech Republic for coordinating similar acts of sabotage on their territories. [11]

Murillo Diosa Luis Alfonso traveled to Romania in July 2024, at the instigation of a person from Russia (Romagoza), with the intention of committing diversionary acts. The targeted objectives were located near a complex in Ilfov County and included a recyclable waste depot, two oil extraction wells, and a gas regulation/measurement station. [11]

Murillo Diosa Luis Alfonso arrived at Bucharest-Otopeni on July 28, 2024, on the route Medellín-Madrid-Mykonos-Bucharest, then moving to a hotel in the capital and subsequently to a locality in Ilfov County for reconnaissance and photography missions. [11]

The Colombian, trained militarily in the Colombian armed forces, specialized in intelligence gathering and research/documentation activities. According to investigators, Murillo Diosa Luis Alfonso searched online for information on manufacturing explosive and fire devices, corroborating his military training with the intention to destroy the targeted objectives by explosions or fires. The plan was not carried out due to police intervention, with the specialized support of the Romanian Intelligence Service (SRI), which also noted that Russian authorities falsely distributed on Telegram channels images of a fire in Bragadiru, incorrectly presenting it as a sabotage operation. [11]

Update

DIICOT: A Cuban linked to Russian intelligence services wanted for sabotage in Romania

DIICOT has placed Cuban Oemis Romagoza Durruthy on an international wanted list, suspected of coordinating attempted sabotages in Romania in 2024, ordered by Russian intelligence services. [12]

The Bucharest Court of Appeal issued on November 2, 2026, a warrant for preventive arrest in absentia for Oemis Romagoza Durruthy (35 years old), accused of instigation of diversionary acts. According to the DIICOT Declaration, the Cuban paid a Colombian, Murillo Diosa Luis Alfonso, definitively sentenced to six years in prison for attempted sabotage on September 22, 2025. [12]

Between June and July 2024, Oemis Romagoza Durruthy determined the Colombian to travel to Romania and carry out documentation activities to prepare for setting fire to or destroying by explosion strategic objectives. The Colombian defendant conducted field reconnaissance and took photographs and films, acts considered by DIICOT as execution phases of the crime, the plan being defused by the police. [12]

The targeted objectives were located near a complex in Ilfov County, including a recyclable waste depot, two oil extraction wells, and a gas regulation/measurement station. The Colombian arrived in Romania on July 28, 2024, on the route Medellín-Madrid-Mykonos-Bucharest Otopeni, and on July 29 conducted reconnaissance of the objectives. [12]

Oemis Romagoza Durruthy is under investigation by authorities in the United States, Latvia, Poland, and the Czech Republic for coordinating similar acts of sabotage. His affiliation with the Russian Federation's intelligence services was confirmed through a public statement by the US Department of Justice, with Washington including him on the list of persons targeted in a global campaign for surveillance and attacks against the infrastructure of Ukraine's allied countries. [12]

The investigation highlighted that the militarily trained Colombian searched online for information on manufacturing explosive devices, confirming his intention to destroy objectives by explosions or fires. Additionally, the Romanian Intelligence Service signaled that Russian authorities falsely distributed on Telegram channels images of a fire caused by a short circuit in Bragadiru, incorrectly presenting it as a sabotage operation by Ukrainian groups. [12]

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Sources

  1. Digi24 DIICOT: Un cubanez din serviciile secrete din Rusia este cel care a coordonat tentativa de sabotaj din 2024. Acum este dat în urmărire
  2. G4Media Mandat de arestare în lipsă pe numele unui cubanez pentru instigare la acte de diversiune / L-ar fi determinat pe un cetățean columbian să distrugă prin incendiere mai multe obiective de importanță strategică din România / Este cercetat în alte trei state pentru comiterea unor acte de sabotaj
  3. diicot.ro Comunicat de presa 2 04.12.2024
  4. News.ro Cubanez cu rezidenţă în Rusia, arestat în lipsă pentru instigare la acte de diversiune/ L-a plătit pe columbianul care trebuia să distrugă sonde de petrol din România/ Face obiectul unor anchete şi în SUA, Letonia, Polonia şi Cehia, fiind dat în urmărire
  5. Adevărul DIICOT: Un cubanez cu legături în serviciile secrete ruse, acuzat că a coordonat tentativa de sabotaj dejucată în România. Pe numele său a fost emis mandat de arestare
  6. MediaFax Mandat de arestare în lipsă pentru un cubanez, rezident în Rusia, pentru instigarea la acte de terorism în România
  7. Gândul Un cubanez cu legături în serviciile ruse de informații, acuzat de DIICOT că a coordonat tentativa de sabotaj dejucată în România în 2024. A fost emis un mandat de arestare pe numele său
  8. AGERPRES Mandat de arestare în lipsă pentru un cubanez legat de serviciile de informații ruse, care a comandat sabotaje în România
  9. observatornews.ro Mandat de arestare în lipsă pentru un cubanez legat de spionajul rusesc, care a comandat sabotaje în România
  10. stirileprotv.ro „Membru influent al diasporei cubaneze din Rusia”, arestat în România. Este anchetat și în SUA, Letonia, Polonia şi Cehia
  11. antena3.ro Un cubanez, care ar avea legături cu Rusia, ar fi ordonat atacuri cu bombă în România în 2024. CAB a emis mandat de arestare în lipsă
  12. Wall-Street.ro Cine ar fi coordonat sabotajele dejucate în România în 2024. Un cubanez cu legături în serviciile ruse, dat în urmărire