Espreso. Global

Lithuania may revoke citizenship for ballerina Ilze Liepa over support for Russia's war in Ukraine

13 November, 2023 Monday
15:49

The Lithuanian Ministry of Internal Affairs has ordered the Migration Department to start the procedure for revoking Ilze Liepa's citizenship in connection with the ballerina's public statements supporting the Russian war against Ukraine

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Deutsche Welle reported the information.

"Ilze Liepa's public statements are regarded as discrediting the state," the agency said. 

Based on the conclusion of the Citizenship Commission, the Ministry of Internal Affairs will appeal to the president, who will make the final decision.

The Russian ballerina was granted Lithuanian citizenship in 2000 as an exception, given that the soloist of the Moscow Bolshoi Theater had been dancing with Lithuanian ballet dancer Petras Skirmantas for over 10 years. 

The Lithuanian authorities raised questions about her after a series of interviews with Liepa, during which she expressed support for Russia's war against Ukraine and praised Vladimir Putin.

  • On September 15, Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda signed a decree revoking the citizenship granted to figure skater Margarita Drobiazko as an exception.

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