Russia reopens criminal cases against Lithuanians who refused to serve in Soviet army after the Baltic independence

[Adar]

Russias campaign against former Soviet states seem to continue and now Lithuania is also hit by Russian attempts to gain diplomatic leverage.

Full article
Russia has reopened 25-year-old cases that may lead to criminal charges against young people who refused to serve in the Soviet army in 1990-1991, shows a request for legal assistance received by the Lithuanian Prosecutor General's Office.
"We have received such request for legal assistance. As the activities, which Russia lists among criminal deeds, is not criminalized in Lithuania, the request for legal assistance will not be processed," Vilma Mažonė of the Prosecutor General's Office told BNS.
The Prosecutor General's Office refused to reveal further details of the case.
Russia may bring criminal charges against the citizens of Lithuania who left the Soviet army or refused to serve there after Lithuania declared independence on 11 March 1990.
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.

According to data provided by the Lithuanian Ministry of National Defence, 1,562 young people refused forced service in the Soviet army after 11 March 1990. Of them, 67 were taken to Soviet military units by force, 20 were sentenced to jail terms, three faced criminal charges and three died.
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.

Advised against travelling outside EU and NATO

The Lithuanian State Security Department has strongly advised that citizens who obeyed the government's call and refused to serve in the Soviet army in 1990–1991 not travel to Russia, Belarus and other countries outside the European Union (EU) and NATO for now.

So what do you think. Just another completely morale action by Soviet nostalgics and completely justified as [add your own reason because I cannot think of any]?

[conon394]

Well the political motivation is obvious - but how can Russia claim to have any legal ability to prosecute people on behalf a dead state that no longer exists. The US should argue that since the USSR clearly no longer exists the permanent seat on the UNSC Russia has should really be a rotating one of all former Soviet Republics on a year over year basis.

[Garbarsardar]

Well the political motivation is obvious - but how can Russia claim to have any legal ability to prosecute people on behalf a dead state that no longer exists. The US should argue that since the USSR clearly no longer exists the permanent seat on the UNSC Russia has should really be a rotating one of all former Soviet Republics on a year over year basis.

Now that Niyazov is gone, there is limited fun to be had in such prospect. Ah, the mental image of the security council chewing on bones!

On topic now, Russia is flexing muscles in a rather peculiar way, lately. I really have to question the level of coordination between various branches of the Russian government at this point.

[Farnan]

Now that Niyazov is gone, there is limited fun to be had in such prospect. Ah, the mental image of the security council chewing on bones!

On topic now, Russia is flexing muscles in a rather peculiar way, lately. I really have to question the level of coordination between various branches of the Russian government at this point.

I think this is a reaction to the Baltic States talking about hosting a new NATO base. A way to flex some muscle without incurring too much backlash from NATO.

[karo]

I think this is a reaction to the Baltic States talking about hosting a new NATO base. A way to flex some muscle without incurring too much backlash from NATO.

Will this not encourage the baltic states to work even harder to open a Nato base there? I cannot see how Russia is benefiting from this action.

[Farnan]

Will this not encourage the baltic states to work even harder to open a Nato base there? I cannot see how Russia is benefiting from this action.

Maybe, it might also increase the perceived risk in the eyes of the governments. I don't think there is much Russia could do to make them not want a base right now, but what they can try is to make them scared to get a base.

[hellheaven1987]

I really have to question the level of coordination between various branches of the Russian government at this point.

That probably is one good thing that brought to Russia in this tension.

[Stavroforos]

Well the political motivation is obvious - but how can Russia claim to have any legal ability to prosecute people on behalf a dead state that no longer exists. The US should argue that since the USSR clearly no longer exists the permanent seat on the UNSC Russia has should really be a rotating one of all former Soviet Republics on a year over year basis.

Russia is the internationally recognized successor state of the USSR, just as Turkey is the successor state of the Ottoman Empire.

[conon394]

Russia is the internationally recognized successor state of the USSR, just as Turkey is the successor state of the Ottoman Empire.

Umm no - it got the UN seat, but Like Turkey it was given no special rights over the former possessions of defunct states.

[Stavroforos]

Umm no - it got the UN seat, but Like Turkey it was given no special rights over the former possessions of defunct states.

I brought it up in relation to the UN seat, not in regard to what rights Russia has over former members of the USSR. The seat is clearly Russian.

[conon394]

Why - It was clearly that of the USSR but if you think about it I fail to see the easy logic of it devolving only to Russia.

[ShockBlast]

Well the political motivation is obvious - but how can Russia claim to have any legal ability to prosecute people on behalf a dead state that no longer exists. The US should argue that since the USSR clearly no longer exists the permanent seat on the UNSC Russia has should really be a rotating one of all former Soviet Republics on a year over year basis.

Their UNSC seat should be given to Japan and Japan encouraged to beef up a bit their armed forces.

I wanted to say Germany but they are part of EU, no point in giving them one since EU will be allocated one so we will lose one that should go to either India or Brazil.

[conon394]

Their UNSC seat should be given to Japan and Japan encouraged to beef up a bit their armed forces.

I wanted to say Germany but they are part of EU, no point in giving them one since EU will be allocated one so we will lose one that should go to either India or Brazil.

Give the non responce from Brazil or India to say Ebola in West Africa I see no reason why they deserve permanent seats

[ShockBlast]

Give the non responce from Brazil or India to say Ebola in West Africa I see no reason why they deserve permanent seats

Yeah, but as much as I would have liked EU to have two spots that would be unfair after EU becomes a federation.

It`s not like RF and PRC did much either.Since RF will be allowed to keep their seat I guess Japan will get the one vacant.About time I would add.

[Stavroforos]

Yeah, but as much as I would have liked EU to have two spots that would be unfair after EU becomes a federation.

It`s not like RF and PRC did much either.Since RF will be allowed to keep their seat I guess Japan will get the one vacant.About time I would add.

I don't think Europeans should be complaining about who deserves a UN seat when the countries that have them aren't exactly strong enough to deserve them.

[Simon Cashmere]

Well the political motivation is obvious - but how can Russia claim to have any legal ability to prosecute people on behalf a dead state that no longer exists. The US should argue that since the USSR clearly no longer exists the permanent seat on the UNSC Russia has should really be a rotating one of all former Soviet Republics on a year over year basis.

If Russia had a working legal system that would matter, but it doesn't. All the Courts are stacked with Kremlin cronies who just do exactly what El Presidente Putin wants. They are not real courts at all - they may as well hire actors to be judges, it would be cheaper with no different result. They are kangaroo courts.

[Sir Pignans]

Well the political motivation is obvious - but how can Russia claim to have any legal ability to prosecute people on behalf a dead state that no longer exists. The US should argue that since the USSR clearly no longer exists the permanent seat on the UNSC Russia has should really be a rotating one of all former Soviet Republics on a year over year basis.

Such a reaction would only raise the risk of a global conflict.

[Dante Von Hespburg]

A reminder for certain posters to stay on-topic. I'm not currently in a forgiving mood today, so I'd highly recommend you respect the D&D and ToS rules. The subject is clearly identified in the OP and the premise thrown to the floor. Use it.

[DarthLazy]

But the Soviet Union was not Russian

[justicar5]

But the Soviet Union was not Russian

the Russian Federation is the successor state of the Soviet Union. Doesn't make this anything but an intimidation attempt and power play.