Former MP appeals 'cheque fraud' conviction to Lithuania's Supreme Court

Former Lithuanian parliamentarian A. Vyšniauskas has lodged an appeal with the Supreme Court of Lithuania, challenging the verdicts in the "cheque fraud" case. Vyšniauskas maintains his innocence, asserting that the case should never have been initiated due to what he describes as incorrect interpretations of factual circumstances and flawed legal premises by the prosecutors.

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From the very beginning of this case, I have maintained and still maintain the position that this case should not have been initiated at all, because the accusation was based on prosecutors' incorrect interpretations of factual circumstances and inappropriate legal premises.

In his appeal, Vyšniauskas argues that both the district and appellate courts improperly applied criminal law and committed significant violations of criminal procedure. These alleged errors, he contends, critically influenced the case's outcome. He specifically points to errors, contradictions, and inaccuracies within the appellate court's ruling that he believes require correction. Furthermore, he suggests the appellate court deviated from established judicial practice.

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In my opinion, both the district and appellate courts improperly applied the criminal law and committed essential violations of criminal procedure law, which had a decisive impact on the outcome of the case.

Vyšniauskas is requesting the Supreme Court to rectify these alleged violations through a cassation appeal. His plea is to have the contested verdict annulled and the criminal case against him dismissed, or alternatively, to have the case sent back to the Court of Appeal for a new hearing. He also seeks reimbursement for his legal costs.

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Therefore, I ask the Supreme Court of Lithuania to correct these violations in a cassation procedure – to annul the appealed judgment and dismiss the criminal case against me, or to return the case for a new hearing to the Court of Appeal.

The Supreme Court's press representative confirmed receipt of the appeal. However, the court has not yet decided whether to accept the appeal for review. An adjudication panel will determine the admissibility of Vyšniauskas's complaint. Previously, the Court of Appeal upheld Vyšniauskas's conviction but reduced his fine from 7,500 euros to 6,500 euros. The prohibition preventing him from holding public office for three years, imposed by the first instance court, remains unchanged. Vyšniauskas was found guilty of fraud, abuse of power, and document forgery related to submitting false expense claims during his tenure as a member of the Marijampolė Municipal Council.

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The question of the admissibility of this complaint has not yet been resolved.