DISINFO: US-Iran row showed that Russia has free hands to kidnap Lithuanian judges
SUMMARY
The killing of Qasem Soleimani on US’s whim means that Russia’s hands are free to act as it wants. Donald Trump’s “life hack” gives Russia, the greatest military power in the world, truly unlimited opportunities. For example, now the Kremlin can send its special forces to Lithuania and kidnap Lithuanian judges and prosecutors who convicted Soviet military officers in the criminal case over the clashes by Vilnius TV tower on the 13th of January 1991. Of course, the Lithuanian authorities would start loud protests and even claim that this would be enough to declare a war against Russia, but NATO would only express its deep concern over this case.
RESPONSE
Ungrounded speculation advancing a recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative that Baltic States cannot rely on US and NATO. See previous disinformation cases, alleging that US does not care about the Baltic states and wants Russia to buy them and that the U.S. will easily betray the Baltic states and hand them over to Russia. The killing of Qaseim Suleimani does not set a legal precedent and in no way relate to Lithuanian judges or courts. For background:In March 2019, a Lithuanian regional court found 67 individuals guilty of war crimes and crimes against humanity for their involvement in the Soviet aggression on January 13, 1991, in Vilnius. Russia retaliated by initiating a criminal case against the Lithuanian judges and prosecutors involved in the investigation. The European Parliament has called on Russia to stop its illegitimate prosecution of Lithuanian judges