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Lithuanian Social Democrats See No Reason to Oppose Lifting Paluckas's Immunity
🇱🇹 Lithuania /Crime & Justice

Lithuanian Social Democrats See No Reason to Oppose Lifting Paluckas's Immunity

From Delfi · (6m ago) Lithuanian

Translated from Lithuanian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

TLDR

  • The Lithuanian Social Democratic Party (LSDP) sees no reason to oppose the lifting of parliamentary immunity for member Gintautas Paluckas.
  • LSDP faction elder Orinta Leiputė stated that politicians should not use their immunity to shield themselves from accountability, emphasizing the need for law enforcement to do its job.
  • Paluckas himself agreed to the simplified procedure for lifting his immunity, though he denies the accusations of abuse of power and illicit enrichment, which involve potentially acquiring nearly 345,000 euros worth of assets between 2010 and 2024.

The Lithuanian Social Democratic Party (LSDP) has declared its stance on the potential lifting of immunity for its member, Gintautas Paluckas, stating clearly that they find no grounds to object. This position, articulated by LSDP faction elder Orinta Leiputė, underscores a principle held by the party: parliamentary legal immunity should not serve as a shield against accountability for potential criminal activities.

Socialdemokratų pozicija buvo ir išlieka aiški: Seimo nario teisinė neliečiamybė negali būti naudojama kaip apsauga nuo atsakomybės dėl galimai padarytų nusikalstamų veikų

— M. SinkevičiusStating the Social Democrats' clear position on parliamentary immunity.

Leiputė emphasized that the Seimas (parliament), when deciding on immunity, is not judging guilt or innocence but rather assessing whether there is sufficient legal basis for law enforcement to proceed with investigations. The ultimate determination of guilt or innocence, she stressed, rests solely with the courts. This distinction is crucial in maintaining public trust in the judicial and legislative processes.

LSDP nemato pagrindo prieštarauti Seimo nario Gintauto Palucko teisinės neliečiamybės panaikinimui.

— M. SinkevičiusConfirming the LSDP's lack of objection to lifting Paluckas's immunity.

Paluckas himself has reportedly agreed to a simplified procedure for the removal of his immunity. However, he vehemently denies the accusations leveled against him, which include abuse of power and illicit enrichment. The investigation centers on allegations that he and his wife may have illegally acquired assets worth nearly 345,000 euros through cash deposits, car purchases, and investments in securities between December 2010 and the end of 2024.

Teisinės neliečiamybės institutas skirtas užtikrinti parlamentarų apsaugą nuo galimo politinio susidorojimo ar nepagrįsto teisėsaugos spaudimo.

— M. SinkevičiusExplaining the purpose of parliamentary immunity.

From our perspective at Delfi, this case highlights a critical juncture for Lithuanian politics. While the legal process unfolds, the LSDP's firm stance sends a strong message about transparency and accountability. The party's willingness to allow the investigation to proceed, even concerning a prominent figure like Paluckas, reflects a commitment to upholding the rule of law. This contrasts with situations in some other countries where political immunity is more fiercely protected, often leading to public cynicism. Our coverage focuses on the procedural aspects and the principles at play, ensuring our readers understand that while Paluckas maintains his innocence, the legal system is being allowed to function as intended, a cornerstone of a healthy democracy.

Spręsdamas dėl neliečiamybės panaikinimo, Seimas nesprendžia asmens kaltės klausimo – vertinama tik tai, ar yra pakankamas teisinis pagrindas leisti atlikti baudžiamojo proceso veiksmus

— M. SinkevičiusClarifying that the Seimas decides on immunity, not guilt.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Delfi in Lithuanian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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