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Viktor Uspaskich
, Member of the European Parliament and populist from Lithuania
Photo: Zygimantas Gedvila / Scanpix / imago images
The Liberal Group in the European Parliament has expelled a Lithuanian MP for making homophobic statements.
The Renew Europe parliamentary group voted on Wednesday for Viktor Uspaskich to be kicked out.
The populist had described homosexuals and transvestites as "perverts" in a web video.
In a letter to the parliamentary group leadership, Uspaskich apologized for the fact that his statements had caused a "scandal".
But at the same time he expressed himself again derogatory about homosexuals in the letter.
Group leader Dacian Ciolos said that there was "no place for homophobia" in Renew Europe.
The statements of the MP are not compatible with the values of the group.
Uspakich's expulsion took effect immediately.
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wit / AFP
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