The Russian Embassy in Latvia commented on the expulsion of an 82-year-old military pensioner

The Russian Embassy in Latvia was outraged over the expulsion of an 82-year-old military pensioner

The Russian Embassy in Latvia expressed outrage at the forced deportation of 82-year-old Russian military pensioner Boris Katkov from this country, RIA Novosti reports.

The diplomatic mission appealed to international human rights structures with a request to provide a legal assessment of the actions of the Lithuanian authorities.

Footage of the forced deportation of an elderly man was previously published. As Katkov himself, who holds the post of chairman of the board of the Latvian-Russian Cooperation Association, said, he was not given the opportunity to either resolve financial issues or appeal the decision of the Latvian authorities on deportation. He also noted that he was officially exempt from taking the Latvian language exam due to his age, and he completed the remaining documents for the extension of the residence permit.

The Russian Embassy in Latvia accused the authorities of this country of yet another provocation and Russophobia. They also emphasized that Katkov was called a “threat to the national security of Latvia,” and the ban on returning to the country became indefinite. At the same time, the Latvian authorities did not provide any evidence of Katkov’s guilt.

The diplomatic mission also noted that the Latvian authorities are behaving inhumanely and violating the principle of “non-separation” of the family, as well as violating the provisions of bilateral agreements.

“We are convinced that this cynical action is of a purely political nature, aimed at intimidating the Russian-speaking community of Latvia and eradicating all “dissent,” the embassy said.