Povilas Isoda appeals guilty verdict to Lithuania's Supreme Court

The defense for former Marijampolė Mayor Povilas Isoda has submitted a cassation appeal to the Supreme Court of Lithuania. The appeal seeks to overturn a recent appellate court ruling that found Isoda guilty in the so-called ‘check receipt’ case.

Isoda is requesting that the Supreme Court uphold the original first-instance court verdict, which acquitted him, or alternatively, to annul the appellate decision and order a new hearing. The Supreme Court will first determine whether the appeal meets the necessary legal requirements for acceptance.

In July, the Appellate Court overturned the initial acquittal, finding the politician guilty. As a result, Isoda was fined 10,000 euros and banned from holding public office for three years. This ruling led the Central Electoral Commission to terminate his mayoral powers, with Valdas Tumelis appointed as acting mayor.

According to prosecutors, the case involves Isoda submitting falsified documents to the Marijampolė municipality to obtain 2,479 euros in fraudulent expenses. These included inaccurate claims for mobile, internet, and transport costs. Prosecutors also alleged the use of other payment cards for fuel, including instances where fuel was refilled multiple times within the same minute.