Wife of former Lithuanian PM Gintautas Paluckas faces preliminary charges

The wife of former Lithuanian prime minister Gintautas Paluckas has been formally notified of suspicion in a pre-trial investigation, independent news sources confirmed to Delfi on Thursday. The Lithuanian Prosecutor General’s Office and the Special Investigation Service (STT) declined to comment, citing ongoing proceedings.

A spokesperson for the Prosecutor General’s Office, Rita Stundienė, told LRT.lt that “all publicly available information about the investigation has already been disclosed” and that further details would be provided only when they no longer risk compromising the case. Renata Keblienė of the STT echoed this stance, stating that investigators and prosecutors had determined that any additional disclosure could “harm the investigation.” Ilma Paluckienė, the subject of the suspicions, has not publicly addressed the reports.

Paluckas himself was questioned as a special witness in February in the same pre-trial probe, which centres on allegations of abuse of office and unlawful enrichment. The investigation follows journalistic reports published last summer examining his business ties and questionable transactions. In late July 2025, Paluckas resigned as prime minister, and his Social Democratic-led government stepped down in early August.

Current Social Democratic Party leader Mindaugas Sinkevičius told reporters he had “no knowledge beyond what has been published” regarding the charges against Paluckienė. Asked whether prosecutors might also seek to press charges against Paluckas, Sinkevičius deferred to Prosecutor General Nida Grunskienė, noting that only she could confirm any potential request to parliament to lift Paluckas’s legal immunity.

“I don’t believe today’s news makes Mr. Paluckas a greater liability [to the party],” Sinkevičius added. “He has given his word, and we must await the prosecutor’s next steps. Speculating now would be premature.” He described Paluckas as an experienced politician capable of assessing the situation and the party’s interests.

The investigation remains active, with authorities continuing to gather and evaluate evidence.