The European Parliament on Tuesday stripped Lithuanian MEP Petras Gražulis of his legal immunity.
The politician 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 a bill recognising same-sex unions, Gražulis met several representatives of the LGBTQ+ community as he was leaving the plenary session hall, called them degenerates spreading STDs, and said they should get treatment.
According to Lithuanian prosecutors, evidence collected during the investigation indicates that Gražulis acted with direct intent, fully aware that his comments were being filmed, broadcast, and reported in the media.
Under the Criminal Code, this offence is punishable by a fine, restriction of liberty, arrest or imprisonment for up to two years.
Five individuals have been recognised as victims in the criminal case, which is being examined by the Vilnius Regional Court.
The European Parliament began looking into Gražulis’ case last October after Lithuanian Prosecutor General Nida Grunskienė submitted a formal request in September.
Gražulis, who became an MEP last July, was protected by parliamentary immunity, which could have only been revoked by the European Parliament.
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