Brits abroad lose the battle to vote in EU referendum

London, April 28 (AFP)-2016 A British World War II veteran who lives in Italy lost on Thursday the legal battle for his countrymen who live there are 15 more years abroad can vote in the referendum on whether or not to remain in the EU.

The Justice David Lloyd Jones from the High Court rejected the request of Harry Shindler, of 94 years, and another plaintiff, Jacquelyn MacLennan, British resident in Belgium, which argued that the restriction was a violation of his freedom of movementbased on European laws.

The judge said that the electoral law of 2015 "don't assume a restriction on the freedom of movement".

Plaintiffs ' lawyers have announced they intend to appeal the decision.

The resolution is a relief for the Government, whose representatives claimed that a decision in favor of the plaintiffs would result in the postponement of the referendum of June 23.

The British are more than 15 years abroad cannot vote in the general election, as well as in the referendum.

But the Irish and the citizens of Commonwealth countries (British Commonwealth) who reside in the United Kingdom, as well as those of Gibraltar can vote.