Attack on Volkov is 1st case of political terrorism in Lithuania – center

VILNIUS - The attack on Russian dissident Leonid Volkov is the first case of political terrorism in Lithuania, Vilmantas Vitkauskas, head of Lithuania's National Crisis Management Center, says.

"This is the first time that such an incident has happened in our country, such a case of political aggression, political terrorism on our soil," Vitkauskas told the public radio LRT on Thursday, adding that it was yet difficult to name the masterminds, perpetrators and other details of the attack.

"One thing is clear - the longer the investigation goes on, the clearer it becomes that the operation itself was professional, well-planned and whoever carried it out was either well-prepared or received very good instructions," he said. "Based on all the information we have, (...) it seems to be a well-planned and professional operation."

Volkov, an ally of late Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, was attacked in his car on Tuesday night.

Kira Yarmysh, Navalny's former spokeswoman, said the attacker broke the car window, tear-gassed Volkov and started hitting him with a meat tenderizer. His arm was broken and his leg was injured.

A pre-trial investigation has been opened into the incident.

Lithuania's intelligence says the attack likely was a Russian-organized and implemented operation.