Lithuania’s Foreign Ministry is seeking official confirmation from Iranian authorities that two Lithuanian women may have been detained in Iran, a ministry official said Thursday.
“The ministry has information that two Lithuanian citizens may have been detained in Iran, but we are seeking confirmation through official channels that the detention has taken place,” Ministry Chancellor Aistė Stakenienė told LRT.
The ministry has prepared a diplomatic note, and Lithuania’s honorary consul is also trying to obtain confirmation through official channels, she said. The reasons for the suspected detention are unknown.
Stakenienė stressed that Iran is among the countries from which Lithuania advises its citizens to leave immediately. She said relatives had informed the Lithuanian Embassy in Turkey that the women were travelling for tourism.
Vilnius regional police have launched a search for Daiva Zakažauskaitė, born in 1992, and Erika Šlimaitė, born in 1983.
According to police, the women left Lithuania for Turkey on October 7 and then flew to Iran.
Their relatives have been unable to contact them since October 11. Their phones are switched off, they have not logged into social media, and other attempts to reach them have been unsuccessful.