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Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda on Friday pardoned two Russians sentenced in 2017 for espionage, according to an official statement, paving the way for a possible exchange of spies with Moscow.
According to Lithuanian media quoting unnamed sources, the two Russians convicted of espionage , Nikolai Filipchenko and Sergei Moiseenenko , could be exchanged for two Lithuanians, Yevgeny Mataitis and Aristidas Tamosaitis, and Norway's Frode Berg, all three sentenced in Russia for espionage.
The decree signed by President Nauseda indicates that the Russians have been pardoned under a new law that deals with the exchange of spies. The services of the Presidency, questioned Friday by AFP, refused to comment. " We will answer potential questions very soon, " said Spokesman Spokesman Antanas Bubnelis.
Recruitment of senior Lithuanian officials
According to Lithuanian officials, Filiptchenko worked for Russian FSB services and tried to recruit important Lithuanian officials. He was sentenced to ten years in prison and did not appeal.
Moisseïenko was sentenced to ten and a half years in prison for recruiting a Lithuanian captain on duty at the major military airbase of Siauliai. He had pleaded not guilty.
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Two Lithuanian citizens were also sentenced in 2016 for passing military secrets to Russian military intelligence.
( with AFP )