Other events in Baltic States

Lithuanian border guards have refused entry to a Russian citizen whose Audi Q7 featured Soviet symbols, informs BNS/LETA.

The Audi with Russian license plates was checked at the Nida checkpoint on the border between Lithuania and the Russian Kaliningrad region on Tuesday evening, the State Border Guard Service said.

The driver, a 47-year-old Russian citizen, produced accurate ID documents and vehicle registration documents, however, an examination revealed that the right-side doors of the car featured a flag and the coat of arms of the Soviet Union, which is no longer existent.

Public demonstration of Nazi and Communist symbols in Lithuania is banned by law, therefore, the border guards notified the Russian driver he would not be allowed to enter Lithuania with the vehicle.

As removal of the drawing was not technically possible, the foreign national was advised to continue his trip on foot or by other cars.

The man refused to do so and returned to the Kaliningrad.

Under Lithuanian laws, dissemination or public demonstration of Nazi or Communist symbols in Lithuania is punishable by a fine of 144-289 euros.

The Russian citizen was not fined, as he did not enter the Lithuanian territory.

This is the second case this year when vehicles marked with banned symbols are not allowed to enter Lithuania.

In August, a Russian citizen's Volvo XC90 with a Soviet pentagram and hammer and sickle was refused entry in Lithuania. The foreigner then also decided to turn back to Kaliningrad.