“The panel of judges decided that there were no obstacles to hearing the case in court, and, therefore, it ruled for the case to be heard in open court,” the Vilnius Regional Court said in a press release.
Charges in the case have been brought against three legal entities — MG Baltic, the Liberal Movement and the Labor Party — and a number of natural persons, including three former members of the Liberal Movement — Eligijus Masiulis, MP Gintaras Steponavičius and Šarūnas Gustainis — and Vytautas Gapšys, a former Labor Party lawmaker.
All the accused have denied any wrongdoing.
The politicians and businessmen charged in the case may face up to eight years in prison, and the business group and political parties may face fines, restrictions on their operations or even liquidation.