Russian ice dancer Margarita Drobiazko announced on Sunday that she has appealed against the decision to strip her of Lithuanian citizenship.
"Today I am happy to say that I have found the strength to fight for what I believe is right and important," Drobiazko posted on social media.
"I have filed an appeal against the Lithuanian president's decree that deprived me of my Lithuanian citizenship," she said. "My appeal was accepted by the Vilnius Regional Administrative Court."
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"I believe in justice and integrity, which I consider my duty to defend not only for myself but also for those Lithuanian citizens who, like me, may become victims of unwarranted political games," the Russian athlete said.
In mid-September, Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda said he had signed a decree to strip Drobiazko of her citizenship following a recommendation by the Citizenship Commission, which said that the ice dancer publicly supports the Kremlin regime.
In an earlier open letter, Drobiazko said she was not involved in Russian propaganda and was spreading "the light of culture and kindness".
Drobiazko was granted Lithuanian citizenship in 1993 for her merits in sports. Together with her Lithuanian husband Povilas Vanagas, she represented the country in various championships and Olympic games.
Earlier this year, the parliament amended the laws to allow revoking Lithuanian citizenship from dual nationals if the person publicly expresses support for a state that poses a threat to Lithuania.
Lithuanian authorities say that Drobiazko maintains close professional and personal ties with Tatyana Navka, the wife of the Russian president’s spokesperson, Dmitry Peskov.
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