Lithuanian Justice Ministry proposes amendments punishing incitement to riot

The ministry says that currently only "a person who organizes or provokes a group of people to engage in public violence, destruction of property or other grave violations of public order" faces criminal responsibility. But there's no criminal responsibility for incitement of such actions.

The ministry's amendments propose punishing individuals inciting to riot with a fine or a jail sentence of up to two years.

The Ministry of Justice has also drafted amendments stipulating criminal responsibility for piracy. According to the statement, the Seimas has ratified the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, which defines piracy but not all acts are criminalized by the Lithuanian Penal Code.

The ministry says the convention is not fully implemented in Lithuania and the country would not be able in all cases to detain suspected pirates in the open sea or in territories outside the state's jurisdiction, and prosecute them.

The ministry proposes jail terms of up to life imprisonment for piracy with very serious consequences.

Following public discussions on the amendments they will later go to the government for further consideration.