Lithuanian president vetoes bill concerning publishing court material

Lithuanian President Dalia Grybauskaite vetoed on Tuesday amendments to the country's criminal code which foresees criminal charges for publishing non-public material of courts.

The amendments were passed by the country's parliament.

According to the presidency, the amendments restrict freedom of speech, trample fundamental principles of democracy and create preconditions for ungrounded persecution of journalists.

"These amendments would also create preconditions to misuse right of non-public court hearings, particularly in those cases when high-profile cases would be intended to be kept away in secret from media and society," Grybauskaite was quoted as saying in a statement.

According to the statement, representatives of a few dozen national and regional media organizations addressed the presidency asking to veto the amendments as they threaten freedom of speech and thwart fundamental principles of protection of journalists guaranteed by European laws.

Earlier this month, Grybauskaite called the amendments "shameful."

According to the presidency, they limit society's interest and increase courts' reticence.

The amendments were passed by majority of votes in Lithuanian parliament. They state that every individual -- journalist, victim or their representative -- who has disclosed or publicly announced entire or part of the material from non-public court hearing would become a subject for criminal charges.

The regulation would also apply in cases when negative consequences follow due to the non-public data from the court.

"The country's constitution states that all cases in courts must be examined in public. Moreover, circumstances when court hearing can be confidential are described in other legal acts. Therefore, these amendments are inexpedient," the presidency said.

The parliament will debate the president's veto next week. The veto can be rejected provided at least 71 member of the parliament, out of 141, vote to ignore it.

Source: XINHUA