Lithuanian MP Gintautas Paluckas declines to comment on reports of criminal suspicions against his wife

Lithuanian MP and former prime minister Gintautas Paluckas has refused to confirm or deny reports that his wife, Ilma Paluckė, is facing criminal suspicions, stating he would not comment on the matter, LRT reports.

Speaking to journalists at the Seimas (Lithuanian parliament) on Wednesday, Paluckas said: “I won’t comment on anything. You ask the law enforcement institutions—they provide the answers. I believe you’ve already shared that information with the public.”

“I will neither confirm nor deny anything. You have the information to the extent that law enforcement has provided it. I can’t comment further,” he added.

The news portal Delfi reported, citing unnamed sources, that Paluckė is under suspicion of potential criminal activity. Neither the Prosecutor General’s Office nor the Special Investigation Service (STT) confirmed or denied the claims when contacted by the outlet.

Paluckas himself was questioned in February as a special witness in a pre-trial investigation into possible abuse of office and unlawful enrichment. However, he stated he had no indication whether Prosecutor General Nida Grunskienė would seek to lift his parliamentary immunity.

“Cars signal on the street. Prosecutors either come or don’t come, based on the evidence or suspicions gathered in their investigations,” Paluckas said when asked if he had received any signals from the Prosecutor General’s Office.

“I don’t listen to rumours. Frankly, I don’t understand what you’re asking, because I don’t delve into those matters. I’m a Seimas member, I have a schedule, and I work according to it. I also hope law enforcement does its job without politicising,” he added.

When pressed on whether he would voluntarily waive his immunity if requested, Paluckas said the decision rested with the Seimas, not him: “If they ask, the Seimas will decide. The Seimas decides regardless of whether I agree or not.”

“We’re talking about procedures. For now, the prosecutor general hasn’t approached me, so there’s no point commenting on procedures. If she does, everything will follow the established order,” he said.

Paluckas also dismissed speculation about resigning from parliament, stating: “Why should I step down or make any decisions? If there are suspicions, I’ll make decisions—or not, I’ll think—or not. I don’t really follow the logic.”

Last summer, following investigative reports by journalists into Paluckas’ past, business ties, and questionable dealings, the then-prime minister resigned in late July. His Social Democrat-led government stepped down in early August.

Skvernelis calls Paluckas’ wife a “target of political fighting”

Saulius Skvernelis, leader of the Democratic Union “For Lithuania,” cautiously addressed the reports, suggesting Paluckė may have become a target in political disputes.

“I read about it. I could give my opinion, but I’m afraid to, because if such actions are taken against people, it’s strange. Though perhaps I don’t have the information that the institutions do,” Skvernelis told reporters in the Seimas.

“A wife becoming a target of political fighting is somewhat unsettling,” he added, though he declined to elaborate further. “I don’t want you to ask me why. Ask the institutions doing the work.”