A 68-year-old Russian activist who fled across the Nemunas River into Lithuania was sent back to Russia and later jailed for condemning the war in Ukraine. The man, a surveyor from Sovetsk in Russia’s Kaliningrad region, crossed into Lithuania in September but was handed over to Russian border guards about five hours later. While on the Lithuanian side of the border, he said he explained to border guards that he was seeking political asylum and that he wanted to avoid punishment under Article 205.2, Part 2 of the Russian Criminal Code. He claimed he had walked several kilometres before meeting a border patrol and was then taken to a border post, where he was provided with dry clothes, shoes, and a blanket. He told journalists he was questioned for several hours. He also said he was never given the chance to submit a written asylum application. The State Border Guard Service said it conducted an individual assessment and decided not to allow him to enter Lithuania, returning him to Russia after more than five hours of questioning and checks. Lithuanian border authorities said his words did not amount to a clear request for international protection, while a border-guard adviser said the initial conversation showed indications he might intend to seek asylum. The adviser also said there was nothing found that would have prevented his return, including that he never stated during detention that his life or freedom would be at risk in Russia. After he was taken back, a Russian court sentenced him to six years in prison for publishing information in an online messaging application that presented terrorism ideology and practice as justified, according to the description of the case. Lithuania’s Interior Ministry said it trusted the border guards’ professionalism and that it would not take action against them.