Financial crime investigators in the Netherlands (FIOD) arrested two men and seized 800 servers linked to a web hosting company that enabled cyberattacks, interference operations, and disinformation campaigns.
FIOD arrested a 57-year-old suspect, who was the company director, and a 39-year-old who headed a separate firm that provided internet connectivity.
According to the authorities, the suspects indirectly provided economic resources to Russian and Belarusian entities sanctioned by the European Union (EU).
The investigation focuses on the activities of web hosting firm Stark Industries, founded on February 10, 2022, shortly before Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
“The [Dutch] web hosting company, according to the research team, provided support to actions by the Russian Federation that undermine democracy and security, including through information manipulation and disruption of public and economic systems,” FIOD says.
