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On 18 July, Lithuanian Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs Asta Skaisgirytė Liauškienė presented a note to Austria’s Chargé d’Affaires Josef Sigmund, requesting Austria to explain on what basis and why so hastily the decision was taken to release the suspect in the January 13th case Mikhail Golovatov, who was detained on a European Arrest Warrant.

The note expresses disappointment over such actions of Austria. It also emphasizes that the European Arrest Warrant is issued by judicial authorities of the European Union and obliges another EU member state to arrest and extradite the suspect to the issuing state.

“Lithuanian side considers the activities of the Austrian competent authorities with regard to the execution of the European Arrest Warrant and extradition procedures arising from it as a breach of the legal acts of the EU. We are worried that the practise of the Austrian Republic, which violates the acts of the EU and the cooperation principles among member states, could negatively influence the international communication in the criminal cases among the European Union states,” the document reads.

Austria’s Chargé d’Affaires was also presented the book entitled “Lithuania, 1991.01.13: documents, testimonies, comments”.

As of 18 July, Lithuania recalls the country’s Ambassador to Austria Giedrius Puodžiūnas for consultations in Vilnius.

In the short run, Lithuania will be raising this issue in various possible frameworks at the EU institutions.

“Lithuanian officials, the people of Lithuania and relatives of the victims of the January 13th events hope that Austria, just as other EU partners, is addressing sensitive and important issues precisely in accordance with international law. We are waiting for a convincing explanation from Austria on what grounds the decision was taken and why it was taken so hastily,” Lithuanian Minister of Foreign Affairs commented on the decision to hand in the note.

On 15 July, Lithuanian officials were informed that on 14 July in Austria, the citizen of Russia Mikhail Golovatov, who is a suspect in the January 13th case, was arrested on the European Arrest Warrant of 18 October 2010. On 15-16 July, Friday night, Lithuania received a confirmation that the suspect was released. Austria’s motives for the decision are not yet known to Lithuania.