Judge Zenonas Birstonas

The president signed today a decree removing Kaunas District Court Judge Arvydas Stankas and Vilnius District Court Judge Zenonas Birstonas from office. Both were accused of discrediting the legal system - Stankus for falsifying documents and Birstonas after he was arrested for public drunkenness. He later wrote a letter of apology to the press and the public, without impressing the president to make her change her opinion about him.

President Grybauskaite removed four other judges from office last year. According to Lithuanian law, a presidential decree is the only way to remove a judge from office.

Let’s hope rule of law soon will start functioning in Lithuania...