The Vilnius Regional Court on Wednesday instructed the prosecutor to ask the European Parliament to strip MEP Petras Gražulis of his legal immunity in a case where he is charged with expressing contempt for members of the LGBTIQ community.
The hearing of the case was put on hold in the summer after Gražulis won a seat in the European Parliament, leading to questions about the actual start date of his immunity.
The politician became an MEP in mid-July.
Gražulis, a former member of the Lithuanian parliament, is accused of publicly ridiculing and expressing contempt for a group of persons or a person on the grounds of their sexual orientation.
On May 26, 2022, after the Lithuanian parliament gave its initial backing to the civil union bill legalising same-sex unions, Gražulis met several representatives of the LGBTIQ community as he was leaving the plenary session hall, called them “degenerates spreading STDs” and said they “should get treatment”.
According to prosecutors, evidence collected during the investigation indicates that Gražulis acted with direct intent, knowing his statements were being recorded, broadcasted, and reported in the media.
Five individuals have been recognised as victims in this investigation.
Gražulis was impeached last year for voting on behalf of another MP.
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