Lithuania
Lithuania has detailed counterterrorism legislation in its Criminal Code. There is no carve-out for the exercise of fundamental rights. Acts of terror committed in the context of an armed conflict are specifically criminalized.
The Definition of Terrorism in Domestic Law
Terrorism is not defined per se in the Criminal Code of Lithuania, although the offence of terrorizing is criminalized in several articles.
The 1997 Terrorist Financing Law (as amended in 2021) stipulates that terrorist financing
shall mean any act which constitutes an offence within the meaning of Article 2 of the International Convention for the Suppression of the Financing of Terrorism of 9 December 1999.Art. 2(2)), 1997 Terrorist Financing Law (as amended in 2021).
Adherence to Global and Regional Terrorism Treaties
Lithuania is a State Party to the main United Nations treaties on terrorism.
| Treaty | Adherence |
|---|---|
| 1973 Convention on Crimes against Internationally Protected Persons | State Party |
| 1979 Hostage-Taking Convention | State Party |
| 1997 Terrorist Bombings Convention | State Party |
| 1999 Terrorist Financing Convention | State Party |
| 2005 Nuclear Terrorism Convention | State Party |
Lithuania objected to the declaration by Lebanon on restricting the definition of terrorism under the 1999 Financing Convention as being an unlawful reservation.
Lithuania is also a State Party to the main regional treaties on terrorism.
| Treaty | Adherence |
|---|---|
| 1977 European Convention on the Suppression of Terrorism | State Party |
| 2003 Protocol amending the European Convention on the Suppression of Terrorism | State Party |
| 2005 Convention on the Prevention of Terrorism | State Party |
| 2015 Additional Protocol to the Convention on the Prevention of Terrorism | State Party |
Laws and Penalties for Terrorist Offences
An act of terrorism is ordinarily punished with imprisonment for up to eight years:
A person who, for terrorist purposes, has produced, acquired, kept, transported, transferred or otherwise disposed of a firearm, ammunition, explosives, explosive, nuclear or radioactive materials....
Lithuania's Criminal Code further stipulates that:
A person who, for terrorist purposes, has caused a serious impairment to the health of one or more persons shall be punished by a custodial sentence for a term of three to fifteen years.Art. 250(3), Criminal Code of Lithuania.
A person who has killed one or more persons for terrorist purposes shall be punished by a custodial sentence for a term of eight to twenty years or a life sentence.Art. 250(4), Criminal Code of Lithuania.
The Code criminalizes a person who during an international armed conflict and in violation of norms of international humanitarian law uses means of intimidation or terror. This is punishable by prison for between three and fifteen years.Art. 104, Criminal Code of Lithuania.
Counterterrorism Capacities and Policies at Domestic Level
The Lithuanian Police Anti-terrorist Operations Unit (ARAS) is a specialized police unit.
Glossary
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