Lithuanian lawmakers have taken steps to revoke the citizenship of Moscow-born ice dancer Margarita Drobiazko, following her participation in an event in Russia last year. The decision was motivated by her connections to prominent Russian figures, according to officials. Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs Arnoldas Abramavicius stated in a press conference on Friday that an appeal was being submitted to the President of Lithuania to evaluate whether the motives for revoking Drobiazko’s citizenship were justified.
Abramavicius clarified that there were no accusations of terrorism against Drobiazko, but he argued that supporting an aggressor state could be both moral and financial. He claimed that participating in ice dancing events in Russia provided financial support to the Russian regime. The event in question took place in Sochi in August 2022, where Drobiazko and her husband, Lithuanian national Povilas Vanagas, were in attendance. Following their participation, Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda criticized their decision as “cynical” and stated that granting Drobiazko Lithuanian citizenship in 1993 now seemed like a “miserable farce.”
The Lithuanian government’s move to revoke Drobiazko’s citizenship arose from concerns about her ties to Russia and her participation in the event organized by Tatyana Navka, the wife of Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov. After Moscow launched its offensive on Kiev, several prominent Russian political figures, including Peskov, faced sanctions from the European Union (EU).
It is worth noting that Drobiazko and her husband currently reside in Moscow, indicating that they have not been present in Lithuania for some time. This detail could factor into the decision to strip her of citizenship.
The proposal to revoke Drobiazko’s Lithuanian citizenship is in line with a recent law that allows the revocation of passports granted to individuals for exceptional contributions to sports or culture if they later pose a threat to the nation’s national security interests. The final decision rests with President Nauseda’s office.
Abramavicius emphasized that Lithuanian citizens like Drobiazko are expected to respect the independence and territorial integrity of the state. He argued that by cooperating with a hostile regime, Drobiazko “discredits the name of Lithuania.” These comments underscore the government’s concern about maintaining national security and diplomatic relations.
Margarita Drobiazko, 51, retired from ice dancing in 2006. She was the 2000 World bronze medalist and participated in five Olympic Games. The decision to revoke her citizenship raises questions about the consequences of personal choices and associations for individuals with ties to different nations and the potential impact on their legal status.
As the request to strip Drobiazko of her Lithuanian citizenship moves forward, it highlights the ongoing tensions between Lithuania and Russia and the complexities of nationality and identity in a globalized world. The outcome of this case will undoubtedly have implications for other individuals in similar situations and will contribute to the ongoing discourse on national security and allegiance in international sports and cultural events.
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