European Rights Court Rules Against Lithuania Over Ex-President

Former Lithuanian President Rolandas Paksas

The European Court of Human Rights has ruled that Lithuania unlawfully prevented former President Rolandas Paksas from running for parliament in 2004.

The court said the Lithuanian parliament violated the European Convention on Human Rights when it adopted a new electoral rule barring people previously dismissed in impeachment proceedings from becoming deputies.

Paksas, who was impeached and removed from office in 2004 for allegedly abusing his position, complained the rule had been adopted solely to prevent him from running for parliament.

The Strasbourg-based rights court did not award Paksas financial compensation.

compiled from agency reports