Lithuanian authorities search homes of ‘Nemuno aušra’ politicians

Lithuanian law enforcement authorities conducted searches at the residences of five members of the ‘Nemuno aušra’ political party as part of a pre-trial investigation. The Financial Crime Investigation Service (FNTT) targeted Roberto Puchovičius, Kęstutis Bilius, Daiva Žebelienė, Lina Šukytė-Korsakė, and Tadas Sadauskis.

The investigation focuses on potential fraud related to car rentals. Authorities are examining whether Seimas members Remigijus Žemaitaitis and Daiva Petkevičienė engaged in criminal activity by renting their personal vehicles to the ‘Nemuno aušra’ party while simultaneously using those same vehicles for themselves.

Prime Minister Mindaugas Sinkevičius noted that while politicians should refrain from commenting on ongoing investigations, the searches indicate that the inquiry is progressing and that investigators are seeking to clarify unanswered questions. Seimas Speaker Juozas Olekas described the situation involving Žebelienė, a deputy speaker, as a ‘unpleasant case.’ Opposition leaders from the Liberal Movement and the Homeland Union have also commented on the legal actions, suggesting that further procedural steps may occur before the end of the current parliamentary term.