A representative of the Homeland Union (Lithuanian Conservatives), Vilija Aleknaite-Abramikiene, has registered amendments to the nation's penal code foreseeing punishment for people publicly supporting aggression by the Soviet Union or Nazi Germany against Lithuania, genocide and other crimes against humanity performed by occupational regimes, BNS reports.
The parliamentarian has also proposed amending laws on political parties and meetings and to ban the use of symbols of Nazi Germany and former USSR 's flags, shields, pictures of communist leaders, etc. 's in a party's symbols, Lietuvos Zinios daily writes. It has also been proposed to ban public meetings exhibiting such symbols.
This is the second drive by Aleknaite-Abramikien to restrict usage of Soviet and Nazi symbols. Last year's attempt did not receive the support of Parliament. In her words, this time the topics of the amendments is much wider and the political context is favorable for passing them. Aleknaite-Abramikiene did not deny that the amendments for the laws mentioned have partially been inspired by recent events in Estonia.
The project prepared by the parliamentarian proposes to impose a fine or arrest or imprisonment up to two years for people publicly favoring aggression of the USSR or Nazi Germany against Lithuania, excuse it, downgrading or denying or favoring genocide or other crimes of the occupation regimes.
