Moscow steps up pressure on Lithuania over 1991 crackdown convict (media) 2021-04-29 BNS/TBT Staff
VILNIUS – Russia s Kremlin-loyal Human Rights Commissioner Tatyana Moskalkova has turned to Seimas Ombudsman Augustinas Normantas, saying that the life of Yuri Mel, a Russian citizen jailed for his role in the January 1991 crackdown on protesters in Vilnius, is in danger, the 15min news website reported on Thursday.
Lithuania s authorities say Mel has made no complaints to them, and political scientists believe that the Kremlin is thus seeking to divert attention from serious human rights violations in Russia.
To my knowledge, he is being held in a cell with eight other people. I think that his life is in real danger if he becomes infected with COVID-19, Moskalkova said in her letter to Normantas.