Lithuania denounces legal assistance treaty with Russia

The parliament of the Republic of Lithuania, the Seimas, has approved a proposal to denounce the international treaty with Russia concerning legal assistance and legal relations in civil, family and criminal matters.

According to Delfi, ninety-three members of the Seimas voted in favour of the proposal, with five abstentions.

The treaty in question was signed in 1992 and ratified by the Supreme Council of the Republic of Lithuania. 

Lithuanian Minister of Justice Ewelina Dobrowolska said gross violations of international law, including international humanitarian law, have occurred since Russia began its unprecedented military aggression against Ukraine. Therefore, Lithuania must clearly express its political will and cease cooperation in international relations with the aggressor country.

She added that practical legal cooperation under this treaty has effectively not been conducted and requests for legal assistance from Lithuania to Russia have not been fulfilled, except in cases directly related to the Lithuanian citizens’ interests, for over two years.

As the automatic extension of the treaty's term was set to occur on 21 January 2025, the task was to denounce the treaty as soon as possible to prevent its automatic extension for another five years.

In April, Estonia terminated a similar treaty with Russia.

In May, Lithuania's customs fined a Lithuanian company €329,944 for purchasing goods from Russian firms subject to international sanctions.