Tensions rise between Russia, Lithuania after former Soviet official conviction

Russia's foreign ministry on Thursday accused Lithuania of an unfriendly and provocative act after a Lithuanian court found former Soviet officials guilty of crimes for their part in a crackdown in Lithuania in 1991.

The court on Wednesday found former Soviet defence minister Dmitry Yazov guilty of war crimes and crimes against humanity for his role in the crackdown against the Baltic state's pro-independence movement. He was the highest-ranking person on a list of 67 former military officials and army officers being sentenced after the three-year trial.