Lithuania to try Soviet-era Omon leaders in absentia
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 9 December 2013 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Lithuania to try Soviet-era Omon leaders in absentia, 9 December 2013, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/52e659bad.html [accessed 20 May 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
December 09, 2013
Lithuania's Court of Appeals has ruled that two former commanders of the Soviet-era Interior Ministry police troops, known as OMON, must be tried in absentia.
The December 9 decision says the trial of Boleslav Makutynovich and Vladimir Razvodov will be held in absentia, since the two are residing in Russia.
Makutynovich and Razvodov have been charged with war crimes and crimes against humanity.
The case relates to the killing of seven Lithuanian officers at Medininkai checkpoint along Lithuanian-Belarusian border in July 1991.
The Soviet government had sent in troops in January 1991 to suppress Lithuanian moves toward independence.
Fourteen people were killed in that violence and Soviet authorities left the additional troops, including Makutynovich and Razvodov, in Lithuania to maintain order.
Based on reporting by delfi.lv and Interfax
Link to original story on RFE/RL website
