The Vilnius District Court sentenced this Thursday (4) the Lithuanian politician Remigijus Žemaitaitis for inciting hatred against Jews in publications and speeches made in 2023. The leader, leader of the nationalist party Nemuno Aušra, received a fine of 5 thousand euros after the court concluded that his statements minimized Nazi crimes and offended the memory of the Holocaust.
According to information from international agencies, prosecutors had asked for a much higher penalty – 51 thousand euros and the obligation to contribute to a support fund for crime victims – but the court decided to apply only the minimum fine. The case involved social media posts in which Žemaitaitis quoted an anti-Semitic song and posts against Jews.
According to the Euronewsjudge Nida Vigelienė stated that the defendant “chose and used degrading language, violated human dignity and demonstrated hatred”, exceeding the limits protected by freedom of expression. The court concluded that his words amounted to direct incitement of hostility against the Jewish community.
Žemaitaitis, who did not attend the hearing, denies any wrongdoing and told journalists that “everyone understands that this is a politicized decision,” according to local press reports. The politician had resigned from Parliament in 2024 after the Constitutional Court ruled that his statements violated the Lithuanian Constitution. Even so, he returned to public life this year, leading Nemuno Aušra, which is part of the current government coalition led by the Social Democrats.
According to the Euronewsthe Social Democratic party – which heads the government, but does not have Žemaitaitis in the cabinet – stated in a statement that any form of anti-Semitism, hate speech or Holocaust denial is “unacceptable and incompatible” with its values. The group said it respected the court decision, although it is not yet final, as the defense must file an appeal.
