Lithuania deports Russian diplomats

Lithuania said yesterday it had deported three Russian diplomats, prompting threats by Moscow to retaliate and deepening a rift over allegations which link the Baltic state's president to Russian mobsters and intelligence.

Lithuanian Foreign Minister Antanas Valionis said the three were expelled for activities unrelated to their employment.

"We cannot allow embassy employees to illegally influence the privatisation of Lithuanian companies or attempt to obtain classified information from the parliament," he told journalists, without elaborating.

Russia's Foreign Ministry confirmed that two of its embassy staff and trade official had been asked to leave Lithuania.

"Russia assesses such a decision as an unfriendly step by Lithuania in its relations with Russia," the ministry said in a statement. "Under the circumstances, Russia retains the right to take adequate retaliatory steps."

Lithuanian President Rolandas Paksas is facing impeachment over alleged links between his office and Russian mobsters and Russian intelligence services. It was not clear whether the deportations had any connection with the case against Mr Paksas. His spokesman declined to comment.

The Paksas affair has greatly embarrassed Lithuania months before it joins the European Union and Nato, raising fears that Russian mobsters will use the ex-Soviet state as a springboard for illegal activities across the enlarged EU.