Family Movement asks permission to stage February 16 rally

Vilnius authorities say they have received two requests for events in the Lithuanian capital on February 16 when the country will mark its Independence Day. One of them was lodged by the Lithuanian Family Movement, asking for permission to stage a rally.

The municipality told BNS a natural person had lodged the second request, adding that decisions on the two requests have not been made yet, but state-level events will be prioritized.

Sources have told BNS Algirdas Paleckis, a controversial politician who was found guilty of spying for Russia by Siauliai Regional Court in July, lodged the second request.

Paleckis later appealed against his conviction but is now required to stay at his address in Vilnius from 9 p.m. until 6 a.m. and cannot go outside Vilnius.

On January 13, people attending a rally held by the Lithuanian Family Movement near the Seimas booed Speaker of the Seimas Viktorija Cmilyte-Nielsen and Prime Minister Ingrida Simonyte who were giving speeches during a Freedom Defenders' Day commemoration.

Following the incident, fears are growing that similar things might happen on February 16.