Russian Who Swam to Lithuania to Seek Asylum Gets 6 Years in Russian Prison After Return
The man, identified as 68-year-old Igor Odintsov, said he faced persecution in Russia over his social media posts.
A Russian man named Igor Odintsov, 68, attempted to flee to Lithuania to seek asylum on September 17 by swimming across the Neman River. However, Lithuanian authorities found him and returned him to Russia the following day. On September 30, the Baltic Fleet Military Court sentenced Odintsov to six years in prison for publicly calling for terrorism.
The court determined that he had posted messages on a messaging app supporting the idea and methods of terrorism. Odintsov resided in Kaliningrad region, Russia, and was found to hold radical views opposed to Russia's invasion of Ukraine. He also expressed a negative attitude towards Russian authorities. The Lithuanian authorities claimed they had no prior knowledge of any threats against Odintsov or special status that would warrant protection.
The border guard service now expresses doubts about whether his statement requesting protection was clear and understandable. Odintsov's decision to flee to Lithuania on the day he was due in court led to his expulsion and imprisonment in Russia. Local residents, including Sigitas Šambarėnas, chairman of the Lithuanian community in Kaliningrad, condemned the Lithuanian authorities' decision as a betrayal.
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