Lithuania seeks extradition over Russia-linked assassination plot

Lithuania has requested the extradition of a man detained in Greece over allegations that he was involved in a Russia-linked network planning the killings of two political activists in Lithuania, the Prosecutor General’s Office said on April 10.

The suspect, described by authorities as a Greek-origin man from Georgia, was arrested in Greece on February 10 under a European Arrest Warrant, Caliber.Az reports via Lithuanian media.

Lithuanian prosecutors said the wider investigation is linked to an alleged Russian intelligence network that was preparing targeted killings inside Lithuania. The suspect is accused of facilitating a €5,000 transfer as payment for the planned attacks.

Media reports said the intended targets included Ruslan Gabbasov, a Bashkir activist living in Lithuania, and Valdas Bartkevičius, a civic organiser involved in aid efforts for Ukraine.

The suspect was detained in Thessaloniki, where police also uncovered evidence that several individuals had been conducting surveillance on the alleged targets before law enforcement intervened.

Greek media reported that the suspects were arrested during an operation last March, before the alleged killings could be carried out.

By Aghakazim Guliyev