LITHUANIA: TRIAL OF MAFIA BOSS ACCUSED OF MURDERING AN INVESTIGATIVE JOURNALIST TAKES PLACE IN VILNIUS AS MEMBERS OF HIS GROUP THREATEN TO ATTACK A NUCLEAR REACTOR

Record ID: 195202

  • Title: LITHUANIA: TRIAL OF MAFIA BOSS ACCUSED OF MURDERING AN INVESTIGATIVE JOURNALIST TAKES PLACE IN VILNIUS AS MEMBERS OF HIS GROUP THREATEN TO ATTACK A NUCLEAR REACTOR
  • Date: 10th November 1994
  • Summary: VILNIUS AND IGNALINA, LITHUANIA (NOVEMBER 10 AND 14 1994) (NOVEMBER 14) 1. WV NUCLEAR POWER STATION SEEN ACROSS WATER 0.04 2. GV ARMED SOLDIER ON GUARD OUTSIDE PLANT 0.07 3. GV BUS WITH WORKERS ARRIVING AT PLANT AMID TIGHT SECURITY 0.18 4. GV PAN WORKERS WALKING TOWARDS ENTRANCE TO PLANT AS ARMY TRUCKS PATROL PLANT
  • Embargoed: 25th November 1994 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: VILNIUS AND IGNALINA, LITHUANIA
  • City:
  • Country: EUROPE Lithuania
  • Reuters ID: LVA8753ANOUVSPUUREOPEFX4CL1M
  • Story Text: The trial of a mafia boss accused of murdering an investigative journalist took place in the Lithuanian capital Vilnius on Tuesday (November 15) as members of his criminal group threatened to attack a nuclear reactor.

    Boris Dekanidze who was found guilty by the supreme court in Vilnius on Thursday (November 10) faces the death penalty after allegedly ordering the death of Vitas Lingys, one of Lithuania's top investigative journalists.

    Lingys had written a series of articles exposing Lithuania's mafia and refused to withhold an article detailing the activies of Dekanidze's gang.

    The trial caused a security alert as members of the mafia threatened to attack a nuclear reactor unless Dekanidze was released.

    One of the two Chernobyl-type reactors at the Ignalia nuclear plant had to be turned off on Sunday (November 13) as a team of Swedish experts conducted checks for signs of sabotage.

    Special Interior Ministry troops were called in to guard the plant in response to the terrorist threats.

    An ultimatum issued by the father of Dekanidze, Georgiy Dekanidze demanded that he be freed by Tuesday (November 15), two days before his planned execution.


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