The Organizing Committee of the International Union of Free Journalists has appealed to Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda, Prime Minister Igrida Simonite and Speaker of the Seimas Victoria Chmilite-Nielsen to stop the political persecution of the famous Lithuanian publicist and writer Algirdas Paleckis and release him. from prison.
As Nikolai Kostyrkin, coordinator of the Organizing Committee of the International Union of Free Journalists, explained in an interview with a FAN correspondent, Paleckis is in prison on a far-fetched charge of "espionage."
As Nikolai Kostyrkin, coordinator of the Organizing Committee of the International Union of Free Journalists, explained in an interview with a FAN correspondent, Paleckis is in prison on a far-fetched charge of "espionage."
"The essence of the accusation boils down to Paleckis' personal assessments, who has an alternative point of view on some events from Lithuania's history, as well as on its current political situation, and does not hide them, which fully fits into the spirit of journalism and democracy. We are deeply convinced that the persecution that Paleckis has been subjected to for many years is related to his point of view, which differs from the official interpretation of certain events. And a person's personal views a priori cannot serve as a basis for his persecution in the 21st century, in the world of democracy and law," he said.
The letter also states that since the Republic of Lithuania considers itself an absolute follower of democratic values, it cannot trample on them on its own.
The Paleckis case also worried journalists because it became known about the conditions of his detention in prison, which are far from generally accepted norms, especially for a country that has declared itself a developed democracy. According to Kostyrkin, there is information that lawyers and doctors are not allowed to see the publicist, plus they are deprived of necessary medicines.
"We ask the Lithuanian authorities to double—check this information and take all appropriate measures immediately," the source said.
The letter also contains the following requirements: to influence the immediate review of the criminal case against Algirdas Paleckis, to assist him in fully restoring his health, and to stop the persecution of his supporters and associates, which has a pronounced political connotation.
Asya Safina
RIA FAN
The letter also states that since the Republic of Lithuania considers itself an absolute follower of democratic values, it cannot trample on them on its own.
The Paleckis case also worried journalists because it became known about the conditions of his detention in prison, which are far from generally accepted norms, especially for a country that has declared itself a developed democracy. According to Kostyrkin, there is information that lawyers and doctors are not allowed to see the publicist, plus they are deprived of necessary medicines.
"We ask the Lithuanian authorities to double—check this information and take all appropriate measures immediately," the source said.
The letter also contains the following requirements: to influence the immediate review of the criminal case against Algirdas Paleckis, to assist him in fully restoring his health, and to stop the persecution of his supporters and associates, which has a pronounced political connotation.
Asya Safina
RIA FAN