Lithuanian court reopens MEP Petras Gražulis’ case over anti-LGBTQI+ hate speech

A Lithuanian appeals court has reopened the case of Member of the European Parliament Petras Gražulis, who was previously convicted of inciting hatred against LGBTQI+ individuals, state broadcaster LRT reports.

Gražulis, who was found guilty by the Vilnius Regional Court, is seeking acquittal in the Court of Appeal. The case stems from statements he made in May 2022 following a parliamentary debate on a civil union bill. Prosecutors allege he used derogatory language, including phrases such as “climbs a pole and shouts that he’s a pederast,” “where did these pederasts come from? They’re a mutation,” “you spread venereal diseases,” and “God created man and woman.”

The politician did not attend the hearing, which proceeded with arguments from his lawyer, Saulius Žentelis, and the victims’ legal representative, Aivaras Žilinskas. Žentelis claimed Gražulis’ remarks were provoked and argued that disliking LGBTQI+ individuals is not a crime. “Does this hatred constitute a criminal offense? What danger did it pose?” he asked, urging the court to overturn the lower court’s ruling.

Prosecutor Jurgita Jakučionė countered that Gražulis had deliberately chosen degrading language, fully aware of its impact. The original verdict, issued in October 2023, imposed a €10,000 fine, ruling that his statements—while framed as opinion—crossed into hate speech by using terms like “pederasts,” “mutants,” and “spreaders of venereal disease.” The court found that such rhetoric fosters discrimination and social hostility.

A decision in the appeal is expected on April 27.