Juraitis Tries to Use Lawyer Tomas for Defense, Court Notes Russian Registration

Kęstutis Juraitis, currently on trial, sought to have Stanislovas Tomas act as his second defense lawyer. Juraitis submitted a digitally signed legal services agreement to the Vilnius Regional Court.

However, presiding judge Mindaugas Povilanskas pointed out that Tomas is registered in Russia and does not possess a permit to practice law in Lithuania. Tomas has a prior record, including a fine in April 2019 for damaging a memorial plaque and a 2,500 euro penalty in April of this year for spreading disinformation, war propaganda, and hate speech on YouTube.

The Lithuanian Radio and Television Commission (LRTK) found that Tomas's YouTube channel, "Lietuvos Advokatas," had unfairly compared the Lithuanian Riflemen's Union to structures involved in the Rwandan genocide. The commission also noted claims within a video that the organization was intended for killing civilians and that scenarios of mass violence were being created.

“

I am a sovereign of the Republic of Lithuania, I believe one must befriend even a worse person.

During the court session, Juraitis testified, stating, "I am a sovereign of the Republic of Lithuania, I believe one must befriend even a worse person." He also discussed his projects and family values. Juraitis has previously run for parliament and unsuccessfully sought signatures to become a presidential candidate in 2019. He founded the public institution "Kaisakas" in 2000, working with at-risk youth and receiving a UNESCO Peace City award in 2002 for its projects.

Judge Povilanskas repeatedly urged Juraitis to return to the specifics of his case. Juraitis also submitted numerous requests, including one to disqualify the prosecutor and another for an expert examination for co-defendants Erika Švenčionienė and Valerijus Ivanov. The judge rejected the request to disqualify the prosecutor and the expert examinations.

“

It's nice that the participants in the process care about each other's health.