Lithuania: MEP Tomaszewski takes “hate speech” case to ECHR

Lithuanian MEP Waldemar Tomaszewski has taken legal action at the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) against Lithuanian authorities for discontinuing an investigation into derogatory comments made by TV presenter Arunas Valinskas, ELTA reports. Valinskas had called Tomaszewski, who leads the Electoral Action of Poles in Lithuania (LLRA), a “Colorado potato beetle” and suggested that he should be “shot down.” Those who support Russia are often called “Colorado beetles” in Lithuania. Tomaszewski claims that the statements constitute “hate speech.” The Lithuanian state terminated the investigation, citing insufficient grounds for a criminal offence.