At the Human Rights Council Lithuania once again condemns Russia's actions against Lithuanian justice officials in January 13 case
On 28 June, at the 47th 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 once again condemned Russia's actions against Lithuanian justice officials who investigated and tried the tragic and complex January 13 case.
“In addition to the launch of multiple criminal proceedings, in December 2020, the Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation brought criminal charges in absentia against three Lithuanian judges and took measures to put the accused on an international wanted list. These actions cannot be tolerated,” – Ambassador Krivas noted.
Independence of the justice officials is a pre-requisite to the rule of law. The Permanent Representative of Lithuania has sent two letters to the UN Special Rapporteur on the January 13 case related matters.
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, Lithuanian court found 67 former Soviet officials guilty of war crimes and crimes against humanity for their role in the January 13 Soviet aggression.
