Lithuanian Politician Embroiled in Controversy Over Alleged Ties to Criminal Figures
Vilnius, Lithuania – Remigijus Žemaitaitis, a Lithuanian politician and leader of the Dawn of the Nemunas party, is facing renewed scrutiny following the surfacing of photographs depicting him with individuals linked to the criminal underworld. The images, which have circulated widely in Lithuanian media, have prompted calls for investigation into potential connections between Žemaitaitis and organized crime.
The controversy began to escalate earlier this week when photos emerged showing Žemaitaitis alongside Artūras Šūdmaišis, a figure with a known criminal history. Etaplius reported that the photos have “unlocked a mystery.” The images have fueled speculation about the nature of Žemaitaitis’s relationships and raised questions about his suitability for public office.
Prime Minister Ingrida Šimonytė has weighed in on the matter, stating that ties to the criminal world are a “problem.” According to Etaplius, Šimonytė made the statement in response to the surfacing of the photographs.
This is not the first time Žemaitaitis has faced public controversy. In 2023, he was accused of anti-Semitism following a series of statements regarding Israel and Jews. As reported by LRT.lt, Žemaitaitis made comments on social media regarding the demolition of an EU-funded school in the West Bank, and included a reference to an anti-Semitic rhyme. He subsequently resigned from the Seimas, reportedly to avoid impeachment proceedings.
The Lithuanian parliament appointed a special commission to assess Žemaitaitis’s statements, and the commission ultimately sought a ruling from the Constitutional Court on whether his remarks constituted a serious violation of his oath of office. Žemaitaitis has consistently denied the charges of anti-Semitism, claiming he was criticizing the Israeli government, not Jews as a people. An ongoing criminal investigation into his statements remains active.
Adding to the complexity of the situation, questions have also been raised about Žemaitaitis’s connections to other controversial figures. Delfi reports that MP Gintautas Kondratovičius believes law enforcement agencies are analyzing potential links between Žemaitaitis and other individuals. The question of whether Žemaitaitis’s associations extend beyond Šūdmaišis is now a central focus of public debate.
The surfacing of these photographs and the renewed scrutiny of Žemaitaitis’s past statements come at a sensitive time for Lithuanian politics. The Dawn of the Nemunas party’s decision to invite Žemaitaitis has already drawn criticism both domestically and internationally. The ongoing investigations and public debate are likely to continue to shape the political landscape in Lithuania in the coming weeks and months.
