Monitoring Desk
MOSCOW: Moscow has been forced to prohibit hostile-minded Lithuanian citizens from entering Russia, the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement on its website on Saturday.
It also warned Vilnius that “the entry stop list” remains open, and more persons may be included in it.
“In retaliation for Vilnius’ adoption of an equivalent of the United States’ Magnitsky Act we were forced to impose a ban on trips to Russia for most hostile-minded Lithuanian citizens,” the statement said. They include local politicians, legislators, and political scientists.
Lithuania adopted legislation on November 16, 2017 against foreigners, who, in Vilnius’ eyes, have committed grave crimes against individuals in other countries, thus violating rights and freedoms, as well as on those responsible for corruption or criminal money laundering, TASS reported.
There are 44 names on Lithuania’s list.