A conservative opposition member in Lithuania has been arrested on charges of spying for Russia, according to Lithuanian prosecutors.
This arrest comes as the Baltic nation, a staunch supporter of Ukraine, remains wary of potential threats from Moscow amidst the ongoing war, according to Digi24.
The suspect, whose name has not been officially disclosed, holds dual Lithuanian and Russian citizenship. He was reportedly deported to Russia with his parents in the 1940s during the Soviet occupation of Lithuania.
Prosecutor General Arturas Urbelis revealed that the individual is affiliated with the Union of Lithuanian Exiles and Political Prisoners.
Provided Information to Russia
Authorities allege that since 2018, the suspect has provided information to the Russian military intelligence agency GRU.
The data he reportedly gathered includes insights on Lithuania’s political parties, defense capabilities, and individuals deported to Russia during the Soviet era.
Although the information was not classified, Lithuanian intelligence deputy chief Remigijus Bridikis emphasized its strategic value to Russian interests.
The alleged espionage activities involved the use of specialized radio channels to transmit encrypted messages.
While the suspect's identity remains officially undisclosed, anonymous sources cited by AFP suggest he is 82-year-old Eduardas Manovas.
Reportedly, Manovas returned to Lithuania in 1997, several years after the nation regained independence, and has since resided in Šiauliai, a city in northern Lithuania.
The arrest has raised questions within the Lithuanian Conservative Party, to which the suspect belonged.
Party leaders are now seeking official confirmation of his involvement in the investigation, with intentions to expel him if the allegations prove true.
This case underscores Lithuania’s vigilance against potential espionage threats, particularly as the country navigates its proximity to Russia and the heightened geopolitical tensions stemming from the war in Ukraine.
As a member of both the European Union and NATO, Lithuania continues to bolster its defenses and maintain its firm stance against Russian aggression.
