VILNIUS, LITHUANIA - The class action court proceeding against Turto Bankas in the District Court of Vilnius (lith. Dėl uždraudimo atlikti veiksmus sukeliančius realią žalos padarymo grėsmę ateityje) Nr. e2-625-918/2020, scheduled for January 21, 2021 is most likely to be postponed, due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the lockdown restrictions in place in Lithuania.
Opposition to the plan by global Jewish communities and Lithuanians led the government to nix a 2021 budget allocation for the project. The project which proposed the development of a conference center on the Shnipishok Jewish center was opposed by leading Jewish authorities and human rights activists. The government's move to drop the allocation from the budget, is seen as being more in line with public consensus. The development would have violated the basic tenants of Jewish law and culture.
The decision to scrap the allocation by Seimas was met with international praise and commendation.
Jewish spokesman, Mr. Dov Fried would like to see the property restored to its former glory. Restoration of the ground is anticipated to attract thousands of Jewish tourists every year.
The court proceeding in Vilnius is meaningful because interest groups are concerned that any move to green light the development of the conference center by the court, would serve as a precedent for European governments to desecrate cemeteries across the continent.