Vilnius prosecutors are carrying out a probe into Uspaskich's public statements about judges and courts that heard the Labor Party's fraudulent bookkeeping case. The parliament has already cancelled Uspaskich's legal immunity in the case.
Elena Martinonienė, spokeswoman for the Prosecutor General's Office, confirmed to BNS on Tuesday that Prosecutor General Darius Valys received Vilnius Regional Prosecutor's Office's request last week. Vilnius prosecutors are asking Valys to turn to the Seimas for permission to prosecute Uspaskich.
Pursuant to the Constitution of Lithuania, a member of the Seimas cannot be prosecuted without prior permission of the Seimas.
Valys has not decided yet as to whether to turn to the Seimas. The Prosecutor General's Office has refused to comment any further.
Prosecutors launched a pre-trial investigation into contempt of court on August 7. Uspaskich said about judges who heard the Labor Party's fraudulent bookkeeping case: "I am telling this point-blank. They are criminals, if they make such decisions. Let them sue me. They wouldn't dare, they are cowards, they are not independent."
