Well-known Belarusian activist living in Lithuania cooperated with Russian intelligence: Lithuanian intelligence

By Ahmet Gencturk

ATHENS (AA) - Lithuanian intelligence claimed a well-known activist living in Lithuania cooperated with Russian intelligence, according to media reports.

Olga Karach, head of Belarusian opposition NGO Nash Dom (Our House), visited Russia between 2015 and 2019 and meet intelligence officers, said public broadcaster LRT, citing Lithuanian State Security Department (VSD).

VSD said Karach, a 2024 Nobel Peace Prize nominee, communicated through impersonal means and passed documents to officials working in Russian intelligence and provided information about representatives of the Belarusian regime and opposition.

VSD claimed that Karach tried to enlist support from Russian authorities for her political activities in Belarus and has discussed her possible political commitments to Russia with representatives of the Russian intelligence services.

“Representatives of the Russian intelligence services took care of Karach’s image in Lithuania and abroad, advised her on activities in the public sphere, and instructed her on how to minimise the risks,” it said.

But Karach denied the accusations and demanded that VSD verify the information before making accusations.

“I can unequivocally say that there has been no cooperation and there could not have been any,” she said.

Karach was deemed a threat last week to national security and denied asylum in Lithuania.