Police Decline Investigation Into Threats Alleged by Parliamentarian">
VILNIUS – May 29, 2024 – Vilnius police have declined to investigate allegations concerning threats made against Lithuanian parliamentarian R. Žemaitaitis. The decision follows a report by Žemaitaitis and subsequent review.The focal point of the complaint lies in two Facebook posts. The police’s decision can be appealed, and further details can be expected as the case evolves and facts come to light.
Lithuanian Police Decline to Investigate Threats Alleged by Parliamentarian
Vilnius police have declined to initiate a pre-trial investigation into alleged threats made against R. Žemaitaitis, a member of the Lithuanian parliament, by Š. Jasiukevičius, a public figure. The decision, initially made on wednesday, followed a written response from Jasiukevičius and a review of the available materials, according to Gintarė Vitkauskaitė-Šatkauskienė, a senior specialist in the General Prosecutor’s Office Communication Division.
The Core of the Complaint: Facebook Posts
Žemaitaitis’s complaint stemmed from two Facebook posts made by Jasiukevičius on March 15.The first post sharply criticized 18 members of the Seimas (Lithuanian Parliament) for not supporting the extension of sanctions against Russia, labeling them Stalin’s sun bearers.
The second post shared a 2016 article co-authored by Jasiukevičius and Albertas Daugirdas, an instructor at the Riflemen’s Union Reserve Training Center, discussing how to deal with collaborators aiding occupiers in destroying Lithuania’s independence during wartime.
Did you know? The Riflemen’s Union is a paramilitary organization in Lithuania with a long history of defending the country’s interests.
Jasiukevičius added that the nearly decade-old text was even more relevant today. Žemaitaitis apparently interpreted the article about strict measures against collaborators as a personal threat, prompting him to contact the police.However, neither the original article nor Jasiukevičius’s Facebook post explicitly mentioned Žemaitaitis.
Parliamentarian’s Reaction and Initial Investigation
Žemaitaitis,known for controversial statements and actions perceived as beneficial to Russia,filed a police report on March 20. Police investigators initially decided not to initiate a pre-trial investigation. though, Vilnius District Prosecutor Gediminas Jukna overturned this decision on May 21, ordering Jasiukevičius to be questioned.
Following the questioning, the police again decided not to proceed with a pre-trial investigation. This decision, like the previous one, can be appealed to the Prosecutor’s Office.
Controversial Statements and Context
Amidst russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Žemaitaitis sparked public outrage by stating that he would provide Russian forces with the coordinates of his political opponents’ homes, effectively aiding an occupying force in destroying Lithuania. Despite this, a criminal case was not initiated against Žemaitaitis at that time.
Pro tip: In legal terms, a threat must be direct and unambiguous to warrant criminal investigation. Vague or implied threats are frequently enough insufficient.
Jasiukevičius’s Response
Following Žemaitaitis’s police report, Jasiukevičius provided a written statement to the police and addressed the parliamentarian in a video posted on Facebook, employing sharp irony.He stated:
Remyguti,zuikeli,gali miegoti ramiai,gali prieš miegą tikrai nežiūrėti,ar po lova manęs nėra. Aš tikrai tavęs negaudysiu ir tikrai tavęs nemušiu. Tikrai nuogo tavęs iš mašinos neišmetinėsiu ir tikrai nuogo tavęs miesto aikštėje aš tavęs nepririšinėsiu su lentele „kolaborantas”, nes kad būtum kolaborantas, reikia, kad Lietuva būtų okupuota, kad tu galėtum bendradarbiauti su kolaborantu. Nežinau, kodėl sau prisiskyrei šį vaidmenį – galbūt turi kažkokių minčių ir bijai dėl savo ateities
Š. Jasiukevičius
