Lietuva in brief - 2010-05-05

On April 28, the Grand Jury of the European Court for Human Rights (ECHR) heard arguments from the representative of the impeached president, Rolandas Paksas, on restoration of violated civil and political rights, reports ELTA. “During a one-and-a-half-hour public hearing, my representative stated arguments on the admissibility of the appeal, the alleged violations of the right to a fair trial and the right to be elected to the parliament and other political posts,” Paksas said. The politician emphasized that he did not litigate against Lithuania, but he wanted to prove that the then authorities took illegitimate and unfair decisions against him. Paksas was impeached in April 2004 because of gross violations of the Constitution. Later, the Supreme Court of Lithuania acquitted Paksas of divulging a state secret.

The Seimas has approved the proposal of the opposition groups to set up an ad hoc commission to look at the allegedly illegitimate impact of political and interest groups on law enforcement institutions, reports ELTA. Prime Minister Andrius Kubilius welcomed the initiative and urged the commission to take a serious attitude towards its work. The head of government also said that he expected that the Seimas commission would find out why law enforcement institutions failed to see the misappropriation of billions of litas in closing the Ignalina power plant and smuggling in Pagegiai. It is expected that the commission will present its conclusions and proposals to the Seimas within 45 days.