Lithuanian parlt committee chair proposes expanding application of "Magnitsky Act"

VILNIUS – Zygimantas Pavilionis, chairman of the Lithuanian parliamentary Committee on Foreign Affairs, has proposed expanding the application of the so-called "Magnitsky Act" in Lithuania.

He suggests applying the law also to persons who actively support or take part in any activity by a foreign state, violating the principles and norms of international law.

The committee said in a statement a new basis would facilitate work of institutions and would allow meeting the government's goal of fighting disinformation policies in a targeted manner.

Pavilionis made the proposal during the committee meeting on Wednesday and it was unanimously backed by committee members.

In November, 2027, on the 8th death anniversary of Sergey Magnitsky, the Lithuanian parliament adopted amendments to the Law on the Legal Status of Aliens, under which Lithuania can bar entry to foreigners linked to large-scale corruption, money laundering or violations of human rights.

The law was named after Russian lawyer Magnitsky who died in a Russian prison in 2009 after exposing a corruption scheme that let Russian officials and citizens to embezzle 230 million US dollars in taxpayers' money.

Some 260 people have been banned from entering Lithuania since the amendments came into force, and information on 224 people has been published.