Russia swaps citizens convicted of espionage with Lithuania and Norway
The Lithuanian President's spokesman said that Russia has returned to Lithuania two citizens convicted of espionage in Russia in 2016 and received back two Lithuanian citizens.
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| Norwegian national Frode Berg has been sentenced to 14 years in a Russian prison for espionage. (Source: AP/TASS) |
Lithuanian President's National Security Advisor Jonas Vytautas Jukas confirmed that the exchange was carefully planned and successfully carried out, however, he did not disclose the exact location of the border post where the exchange took place.
The Lithuanian presidential spokesman said that Russia had returned to Lithuania two citizens Yevgeny Mataitis and Aristidas Tamosaitis, convicted of espionage in Russia in 2016, and received back two citizens Nikolai Filipchenko and Sergei Moisejenko.
In addition, Russia also transferred to Lithuania a Norwegian citizen, former border guard Frod Berg, who was convicted of espionage by Russia.
According to an announcement from Lithuania, Frod Berg was transferred to the Norwegian Embassy in Lithuania.
Russia and Lithuania have reached an agreement to exchange prisoners convicted of espionage.
Previously, on November 15, the President of Lithuania signed a decree pardoning the two Russian citizens who were serving prison sentences for espionage in Lithuania.