Riot organizers go to trial

VILNIUS - Vilnius Second District Court has held ahearing on the rally that turned into a riot near the Lithuanian Seimas building in mid-January.

The court on April 14 will rule whether or not to impose anadministrative fine on trade union leaders for calling the rally and failingto ensure public order.

Trade union leaders - Head of the Lithuanian Labor Federation VydasPuskepalis, Chairman of Lithuania's Confederation of Trade Unions ArturasCerniauskas and Chairwoman of trade union Solidarity Aldona Jasinskiene areon trial for violations to the order of meetings and other mass gatherings.

If found guilty, the said individuals will face a fine ranging from 500to 2000 litas (145 to 580 euros) or administrative arrest for up to 30 days.

The defendants in Tuesday's hearing said the protest rally held near theSeimas and government in mid Jan went as planned, passing responsibility forfailing to ensure public order onto the police force present on the scene.

The police, in turn, said the defendants didn't undertake all requiredmeasures to ensure the rally's peaceful course.