Russian Prosecutor General to review recognition of Baltic independence

Take note – story published 8 years ago

Russian news agency Interfax reports that the Russian Prosecutor General's Office will investigate whether the recognition of the Baltic states' independence by the USSR was legitimate. Previously the Prosecutor General had concluded that transferring Crimea to Ukraine in 1954 was illegal.

An inside source told Interfax that the Prosecutor General's Office has started an investigation as to whether the recognition of the Baltic states' independence by the State Council of the USSR was held legally.

The source stated the the decision about declaring the independence was made by an unconstitutional institution, predicting that the answer to this investigation will be the same as in the case of Crimea.

One may only wonder about the legal basis or usefulness of such an investigation (add scare quotes where necessary). Well, if it can be called such when the results are predetermined and when it comes at a time no one would hesitate to call politically expedient.

The Soviet State Council recognized the independence of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania on September 6, 1991. 

Updated July 1 with the reply of the Foreign Ministry

"[...] the Foreign Ministry rebukes such initiatives of Russian MPs. They are unacceptable and absurd as Latvia's independence was proclaimed on November 18, 1918. A great part of [foreign] governments didn't acknowledge the occupation and incorporation of Latvia in the USSR. Latvia's independence was reinstated on August 21, 1991. It is accepted internationally and cannot be doubted. [...] We think that, employing the logic of these MPs, we could also question the legal basis of the the governmental independence of the Russian Federation," said Ivars Lasis, representative of the Foreign Ministry of Latvia, in an interview to Latvian Radio 4.

Seen a mistake?

Select text and press Ctrl+Enter to send a suggested correction to the editor

Select text and press Report a mistake to send a suggested correction to the editor

Related articles

More

Most important