Court Quashes Ousted Lithuanian President's Hopes

25 May 2004 -- Lithuania's highest court today affirmed previous rulings barring ousted President Rolandas Paksas from running in the country's presidential election in June.
The Constitutional Court ruled that Lithuanian lawmakers' amendment of Lithuania's election laws prohibiting anyone who has been impeached from seeking the country's highest office was not unconstitutional.

The decision means that Paksas cannot run in the presidential race.

The decision cannot be appealed.

Lithuania's parliament impeached Paksas in April after the Constitutional Court found that he divulged state secrets, used his office for financial gain, and illegally arranged citizenship for one of his financial supporters.

(AP/BNS)