At the Human Rights Council Lithuania condemns Russia's actions against Lithuanian justice officials in January 13 case
On 13 July, at the 44th session of the Human Rights Council the Permanent Representative of Lithuania Ambassador Andrius Krivas took the floor in the interactive dialogue with UN Special Rapporteur on the independence of judges and lawyers Diego García-Sayán and condemned Russia's actions against Lithuanian justice officials who investigated and tried the tragic and complex January 13 case.
“Criminal proceedings by the Russian authorities against Lithuanian justice officials for performing their duties in Lithuania are politically motivated and constitute an act of open pressure on, and direct interference with, Lithuania’s judicial system and, therefore, should not be tolerated,” – Ambassador Krivas noted.
Independence of the justice officials is a pre-requisite to the rule of law.
Soviet military attack on the TV tower and National Radio and Television building in Lithuania’s capital on January 13, 1991 caused 14 civilian deaths and left more than 800 people injured. Following scrupulous investigation and trial, in March 2019, Lithuanian court found 67 former Soviet officials guilty of war crimes and crimes against humanity for their role in the January 13 Soviet aggression.
