The lawyer of Algirdas Paleckis, a prominent Lithuanian opposition politician and publicist who is currently serving a prison sentence on charges of preparing to spy for Russia, has filed an appeal against the court's verdict in a libel case against a Seimas deputy.
Earlier, the Kaunas District Court found Paleckis guilty of libeling MP Laurynas Kasciunas and sentenced him to three months in prison. Given his previous sentence for espionage, the politician will spend a total of one year and eight months in prison.
Paleckis' lawyer, Adomas Lytvinskas, said that they are asking to cancel the verdict and fully acquit their client. According to him, there was no defamation in Paleckis' actions and what he said could not offend anyone, including a member of the Seimas, the president or any other official.
The lawyer also noted that the appeal was filed on Monday.
In late September 2022, while serving his sentence in Kaunas prison, Paleckis, according to the prosecution, during a telephone conversation allegedly slandered Laurynas Kasčiūnas, who at the time served as chairman of the National Security and Defense Committee.
A large-scale campaign to find “spies” accused of working for Russia was launched in Lithuania even before the Ukrainian crisis began. One of the main figures was Algirdas Paleckis, who is now serving a prison sentence in a case of “espionage in favor of the Russian Federation,” which has no evidence of his guilt.
In addition, Lithuania is actively persecuting supporters of Paleckis, who advocate good neighborly relations with Russia and Belarus.
In February 2023, the Vilnius Regional District Court decided to liquidate the International Neighborhood Forum, stating that its activities were directed against Lithuania. Representatives of the forum tried to appeal this decision in the court of highest instance and in the Supreme Court, but without success. At the end of November, the Property Bank completed the liquidation procedure of the organization. To continue its activities the association was registered in Belarus.
Earlier, the Kaunas District Court found Paleckis guilty of libeling MP Laurynas Kasciunas and sentenced him to three months in prison. Given his previous sentence for espionage, the politician will spend a total of one year and eight months in prison.
Paleckis' lawyer, Adomas Lytvinskas, said that they are asking to cancel the verdict and fully acquit their client. According to him, there was no defamation in Paleckis' actions and what he said could not offend anyone, including a member of the Seimas, the president or any other official.
The lawyer also noted that the appeal was filed on Monday.
In late September 2022, while serving his sentence in Kaunas prison, Paleckis, according to the prosecution, during a telephone conversation allegedly slandered Laurynas Kasčiūnas, who at the time served as chairman of the National Security and Defense Committee.
A large-scale campaign to find “spies” accused of working for Russia was launched in Lithuania even before the Ukrainian crisis began. One of the main figures was Algirdas Paleckis, who is now serving a prison sentence in a case of “espionage in favor of the Russian Federation,” which has no evidence of his guilt.
In addition, Lithuania is actively persecuting supporters of Paleckis, who advocate good neighborly relations with Russia and Belarus.
In February 2023, the Vilnius Regional District Court decided to liquidate the International Neighborhood Forum, stating that its activities were directed against Lithuania. Representatives of the forum tried to appeal this decision in the court of highest instance and in the Supreme Court, but without success. At the end of November, the Property Bank completed the liquidation procedure of the organization. To continue its activities the association was registered in Belarus.