Marat Kasem, Editor-in-Chief of Sputnik Lithuania, Arrested in Riga

Marat Kasem, the Editor-in-Chief of Sputnik Lithuania, has been arrested in Riga. This was reported by Kp.ru.

Kasem was detained by Latvian security services on suspicion of violating sanctions and for espionage. The report states, "The special services of Latvia have arrested Marat Kasem, the Editor-in-Chief of Sputnik Lithuania, in Riga... The court has decided to impose a remand in custody... The journalist has been transferred to the Central Prison of Riga."

Maria Zakharova, the official representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry, responded to Kasem's arrest and detention on her Telegram channel. "Six months ago, Marat Kasem spoke about how he was being pursued by the Baltic authorities for his professional activities. Now he is in custody. This is the revenge of authoritarian regimes... for his truth..." wrote the diplomat.

It was previously reported that the Editor-in-Chief of Sputnik Lithuania was arrested at Vilnius Airport. Border guards indicated that Marat Kasem poses a threat to the national security of the country.