Justas Laucius, chief prosecutor at the Vilnius Regional Prosecutor’s Office, made the request during a Vilnius Regional Court hearing on Wednesday. He said Žemaitaitis is set to acquire immunity from prosecution after taking the oath of office on Thursday in the Seimas.
"Once the person is sworn in to serve Lithuania, and immunity is granted, it will not be possible to hear the case in court anymore unless the Seimas authorises the prosecution. I ask the Court to instruct the Prosecutor General to apply to the Seimas for its consent to prosecute Žemaitaitis, who will become a member of the Seimas [tomorrow]," Laucius spoke in court.
The Vilnius Regional Court is scheduled to issue its ruling on the prosecutor’s request on Monday.
Žemaitaitis did not object to the request in the courtroom. Approached by reporters after the hearing, the politician reiterated that he will waive his immunity from prosecution.
The Nemunas Dawn leader is accused of inciting hatred against Jews and public approval of international crimes, their denial or gross trivialisation.