Lithuanian MP to appeal antisemitism conviction, refuses to resign

Radvilė Žemaitaitis, a member of the Lithuanian parliament, declared he will appeal his conviction for antisemitic statements to the Supreme Court, asserting the court's decision was politically motivated rather than based on legal reasoning. The Lithuanian Court of Appeal upheld his conviction and increased his fine from 5,000 to 10,000 euros for inciting hatred and trivializing the Holocaust.

Žemaitaitis, who leads the "Nemuno aušra" (Dawn of Nemunas) faction, stated he has no intention of resigning from his parliamentary seat. He argued that previous politicians convicted in similar cases were allowed to await the Supreme Court's decision before facing impeachment proceedings. He suggested that if parliament proceeds with impeachment without waiting for the higher court's ruling, it could lead to early elections in his constituency.

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It is a pity that the court, after all, relies on political decisions, not legal logic and investigation of evidence. It is obvious that the Court of Appeal, by refusing to assess the entire body of evidence, has already planned in the first court hearing that it will be a more political, rather than legal, decision.

Despite the Court of Appeal's decision taking immediate effect, Žemaitaitis insists he committed no offense and that the ruling does not prevent him from participating in future elections. Meanwhile, Viktoras Fiodorovas, chairman of the parliamentary Ethics and Procedures Commission, confirmed that impeachment proceedings against Žemaitaitis will commence. The case stems from seven social media posts and a speech made by Žemaitaitis in May and June 2023, which were found to incite hatred against a group based on their Jewish nationality and trivialize the Holocaust.

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Why should I resign? I am not the one who violated anything, why should I resign? I have not committed any violation, this court decision does not restrict me from participating in other elections.