Saturday, September 13, 2014

Now Team Putin looks to begin Harassing Lithuanian Citizens who Refused to Fight in Soviet Army almost 25 Years Ago

Russian has reopened criminal proceedings against Lithuanians who refused to serve in the Soviet army after Lithuania gained independence nearly 25 years ago.
Lithuanians who abandoned the army at the request of the Lithuanian govenrment have been urged not to leave the EU or NATO countries for fear of prosecution.
Young Lithuanian civilians are swapping their suits and ties
for camouflage and joining a paramilitary group amid concerns
that Ukraine is 'only the beginning' for Russia
Up to 1,562 young people refused forced service in the Soviet army after 11 March 1990 when Lithuania cdeclared independence, statsitstics from Lithuania's Ministry of Defense shows. A total of 67 were taken to Soviet military units by force, 20 were sentenced to jail terms, three faced criminal charges and three died.
Some of the young men were abducted and transported to Soviet army units by force, some were sent to jail, a few died during persecution by Soviet army officers, while others returned to the Soviet military units in fears for their own or their family's safety, some escaped the Soviet army by hiding.
A member of Lithuania Riflemen's Union takes an oath on
the Juozapine Hill, Vilnius, Lithuania
Another 1,465 were forced to go into hiding, change their place of residence and leave families to avoid forced service or repressions by the Soviet army or the Soviet authorities.
Lithuanias Proseuctror General Office has said no rules have been broken and won't be reviewing the case.
Chief Advisor to the president on interior policy Virginija Budiene believes Russia committed a war crime by forcing people to fight in the army.
Read the rest of the story HERE.

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