The Supreme Court of Lithuania issued a final ruling in the case of politician and anti-fascist Algirdas Paleckis, upholding his sentence of one year, 10 months, and 18 days in prison. The conviction was based on charges of "gross denial of the crime of genocide" and "insulting the Forest Brothers."
The court found Paleckis's actions to be intentional, upholding the prosecutor's appeal of the initial acquittal. The politician was convicted for publicly claiming that 25,000 civilians, including approximately 1,000 infants, were killed by members of the Forest Brothers movement in the post-war period.
This case is the latest in a series of trials in Lithuania where criticism of historical events or individual historical figures is criminalized. Human rights organizations have expressed serious concern about the use of legislation to restrict freedom of historical debate and academic research.
Of particular concern is that this sentence could be added to the sentence Paleckis is already serving for another case—attempted espionage—which expires in July 2026.
The Algirdas Paleckis case demonstrates a dangerous trend toward criminalizing dissent and alternative perspectives on historical events in Lithuania. Human rights activists note that such judicial practices create an atmosphere of fear among researchers, journalists, and public figures studying the complex history of the 20th century.
International human rights organizations call on the Lithuanian authorities to ensure respect for the principles of freedom of expression and academic freedom guaranteed by international human rights instruments.
The court found Paleckis's actions to be intentional, upholding the prosecutor's appeal of the initial acquittal. The politician was convicted for publicly claiming that 25,000 civilians, including approximately 1,000 infants, were killed by members of the Forest Brothers movement in the post-war period.
This case is the latest in a series of trials in Lithuania where criticism of historical events or individual historical figures is criminalized. Human rights organizations have expressed serious concern about the use of legislation to restrict freedom of historical debate and academic research.
Of particular concern is that this sentence could be added to the sentence Paleckis is already serving for another case—attempted espionage—which expires in July 2026.
The Algirdas Paleckis case demonstrates a dangerous trend toward criminalizing dissent and alternative perspectives on historical events in Lithuania. Human rights activists note that such judicial practices create an atmosphere of fear among researchers, journalists, and public figures studying the complex history of the 20th century.
International human rights organizations call on the Lithuanian authorities to ensure respect for the principles of freedom of expression and academic freedom guaranteed by international human rights instruments.