After the sensational attack on Kremlin critic Leonid Volkov in the Lithuanian city of Vilnius, the Baltic country wants to offer more protection to representatives of the Russian and Belarusian opposition living in exile.
“There are certain mechanisms that are being implemented now,” the head of the national crisis center, Vilmantas Vitkauskas, told Lithuanian radio on Thursday. He gave no details.
Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis also emphasized that the attack on Volkov shows that both people who have taken refuge in Lithuania and those living in the country are potential targets. “We must adapt to this new reality.”
Sensational hammer attack on exiled Russians
Volkov, who lives in exile in Lithuania, was attacked and injured outside his home in Vilnius on Tuesday evening. The background to the crime is still unclear; the investigation is still ongoing.
Lithuanian intelligence believes it was likely “an operation organized and carried out by Russia.” Vitkauskas also spoke of a “well-planned and professional operation,” which could be described as the first case of political terrorism in Lithuania.
In view of the presidential elections in Russia this weekend, Vitkauskas and Landsbergis called for vigilance. The Lithuanian Foreign Minister said authorities are preparing for possible provocations. “We are in a sensitive region and we must be prepared because we already live in a different reality,” Landsbergis said.
Source: Krone
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