Latvia: Sputnik Lithuania editor-in-chief flees Latvia after trial

The editor-in-chief of Russian propaganda agency Sputnik’s Lithuanian edition, Marats Kasems, has fled Latvia, fearing criminal prosecution, Maria Zakharova, spokeswoman for Russia’s Foreign Ministry, announced, LETA reports. Riga-based Russian independent news website Meduza reported that Kasems was now in Russia. Meanwhile, his Facebook page indicates that he is currently in the UK. Earlier, Kasems pled guilty to charges for assisting Russia’s actions against Latvia and paid a fine of EUR 15,500. Authorities said that there were no new cases against Kasems in Latvia.