The sports category has moved to a new website.
ADVERTISEMENT

Russia rejects Lithuanian bid to question ex-Soviet leader

A Lithuanian judge wanted to summon Gorbachev, 86, to testify in a criminal case in which dozens of former Soviet officials are charged with crimes against humanity.

Former head of the Soviet Union Mikhail Gorbachev was to be summoned to testify in a criminal case in which dozens of former Soviet officials are charged with crimes against humanity and war crimes over the bloody repression of protesters

"Russia rejected a legal assistance request over Gorbachev," the Vilnius county court said in a statement.

A Lithuanian judge wanted to summon Gorbachev, 86, to testify in a criminal case in which dozens of former Soviet officials are charged with crimes against humanity and war crimes over the bloody repression of protesters.

Moscow has refused to cooperate and only two suspects, both Russian citizens, attend the trial which opened last year, a quarter century after Soviet forces killed 14 civilians and injured hundreds as Lithuania broke free from the USSR.

Lithuanian prosecutors have refused to formally charge Gorbachev, who was in power from 1985 to 1991. But the former Soviet leader has always been viewed with suspicion in the Baltic nation of three million occupied by Moscow after World War II.

ADVERTISEMENT

"Russia is shielding a person suspected of a crime. The one who shields a suspect is an accomplice," Lithuania's independence icon Vytautas Landsbergis told AFP on Tuesday.

Soviet troops entered the capital Vilnius after Lithuania declared independence from Moscow in 1990 and stormed the city's television tower. Tens of thousands formed human shields against the troops.

Lithuania, now a member of eurozone and NATO, has strongly criticised Russia's intervention in Ukraine, and recently welcomed troops on its soil from the US-led alliance to deter Moscow.

JOIN OUR PULSE COMMUNITY!

Unblock notifications in browser settings.
ADVERTISEMENT

Eyewitness? Submit your stories now via social or:

Email: news@pulselive.co.ke

Recommended articles

Marianne Kitany tactfully speaks on whether Ruto should fire her ex, CS Linturi

Marianne Kitany tactfully speaks on whether Ruto should fire her ex, CS Linturi

Gov't & opposition officials clash at Rita Tinina's burial ceremony

Gov't & opposition officials clash at Rita Tinina's burial ceremony

CS Murkomen unveils new number plates for cars that will get preferential treatment

CS Murkomen unveils new number plates for cars that will get preferential treatment

Moi University students escape through windows after road crash

Moi University students escape through windows after road crash

57,000 civil servants to have their rent reviewed upwards

57,000 civil servants to have their rent reviewed upwards

Interesting story of U.S. Army Specialist Wambui who comes from a military family

Interesting story of U.S. Army Specialist Wambui who comes from a military family

Heroic GSU officer dies after jumping out of a taxi along Thika Super Highway

Heroic GSU officer dies after jumping out of a taxi along Thika Super Highway

DJ Joe Mfalme detained for 14 more days

DJ Joe Mfalme detained for 14 more days

Explosive blows up hotel next to police station, deaths reported

Explosive blows up hotel next to police station, deaths reported

ADVERTISEMENT