A Lithuanian court has decided to adjourn in controversial ex-MP Petras Gražulis’ LGBTQI contempt case after he was elected to the European Parliament on Sunday.
On Tuesday, Vilnius Regional Court also ordered, Jurgita Jasiūnienė, the prosecutor in the case, to ask the Central Electoral Commission (VRK) for permission to prosecute Gražulis.
“The court adjourned and told me to ask the VRK for permission to prosecute Petras Gražulis,” Jasiūnienė told reporters.
“He has been elected [to the EP], but it is not officially confirmed. The official data will be available in about a week and until Gražulis receives his MEP mandate, he may be prosecuted,” she added.
If the VRK allows Gražulis’ prosecution, the court will have about a month to deliver its verdict. The newly elected EP will hold its first sitting in mid-July and then Gražulis will get legal immunity.
Gražulis is accused of publicly ridiculing and expressing contempt for LGBTQI people.
On May 26, 2022, after the Seimas gave its initial backing to the civil union bill legalising same-sex unions, Gražulis met several representatives of the LGBTQI community in the Seimas, called them degenerates spreading STDs, and said they should get treatment.
Gražulis is one of the most colourful politicians in Lithuania who has built his reputation with stunts against LGBTQI rights.
Last year, the Lithuanian parliament stripped Gražulis of his mandate for breaking his oath after he voted for another MP.
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