For sympathizing with Russia, Lithuanian President revoked citizenship of famous ballerina Ilza Liepa
On March 7, 2024, Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda revoked the citizenship of the country from the Russian ballerina Ilze Liepa, Baltija portal reported.
In November 2023. the famous ballerina was accused of "discrediting the state" because she has not only Lithuanian but also Russian citizenship, supports the policy of the Russian President and approves of Russia's actions in Ukraine.
The Ministry of Internal Affairs demanded that the competent authorities evaluate her statement and if they confirm that Liepa's words threaten the national security of Lithuania, the Ministry of Internal Affairs recommends to take away her passport.
Ilze Liepa received her Lithuanian passport almost a quarter of a century ago. It was issued as an exception in 2000, as she danced with local ballet actor Pyatras Skirmantas for more than ten years.
We will remind, earlier deprived of Lithuanian citizenship figure skater Margarita Drobyazko. The athlete received a Lithuanian passport in 1993. Together with her husband Povilas Vanagas she represented the country five times at the Olympic Games in ice dancing. The couple won bronze at the World Championships.
The figure skater herself said she was not going to keep her Lithuanian citizenship if she had to give up her homeland to do so. She called such a step a betrayal and expressed confidence that it is an unacceptable price. Giving up her country, profession, family and friends is not her way, Margarita Drobyazko believes.