Overview
- Vilnius judges found Remigijus Žemaitaitis guilty for 2023 statements that incited hatred toward Jews and belittled the Holocaust, and he said he will appeal after calling the decision political.
- Judge Nida Vigelienė wrote that his language was degrading, violated human dignity and demonstrated hatred, and the court ruled his rhetoric exceeded protected expression.
- The case centered on May–June 2023 posts and remarks that included an antisemitic nursery rhyme and false claims accusing Jews of killing Lithuanians and downplaying Nazi crimes.
- Prosecutors had sought a €51,000 fine and payments into a victims’ fund, but the court imposed a €5,000 penalty.
- After resigning in 2024 over a constitutional ruling, Žemaitaitis returned in October 2024 as leader of Nemuno Aušra in the Social Democrat-led coalition, whose leaders said they respect the nonfinal ruling.