Minister wrongly says Valerijus Ivanov deported; Genadijus was sent to Russia

Lithuania’s interior minister Martynas Katelynas wrongly announced that Valerijus Ivanov, the former leader of the pro-Soviet organisation Jedinstvo, had been deported from the country. LRT reported that Genadijus Ivanov was the person sent to Russia.

Several sources working on migration issues confirmed the mistake to BNS, followed by the minister’s press secretary. Katelynas’s adviser, Šarūnas Dvareckas, said the State Border Guard Service had given the minister incorrect information about the person’s identity.

“The person was expelled from Lithuania for acting against Lithuania. We apologise for this mistake,” Dvareckas said.

Valerijus Ivanov’s lawyer, Ryšardas Burda, also confirmed that his client had not been deported. Burda told ELTA he had spoken with Ivanov, who was still in Lithuania and had not left the country.

The minister has deleted his Facebook post announcing Ivanov’s deportation.