Former Lithuanian MP admits taking €20,000 bribe in agriculture corruption case

Former Lithuanian parliament member Kazys Starkevičius has confessed to accepting a €20,000 bribe in a high-profile corruption case linked to the State Plant Service, according to a report by 15min.lt cited by LRT. However, legal experts warn his admission does not guarantee leniency or immunity from prosecution.

Starkevičius, who resigned from parliament in early March amid the investigation, reportedly handed over the bribe money to investigators himself. The alleged payment occurred last October and was allegedly delivered by businessman Danielius Krinickis, linked to former Plant Service head Igor Kornijenko.

Mykolas Romeris University law professor Raimundas Jurka told LRT that while Starkevičius’ confession could influence the legal standing of other suspects if they are accused of acting jointly, it does not automatically prove their guilt. “If the charges describe this individual as part of a coordinated effort, then his confession naturally affects the legal position of others,” Jurka explained.

He noted that bribery cases often involve varying levels of awareness among participants—some may fully understand the illegal nature of their actions, while others might not. Investigators must determine whether all parties recognized the corrupt intent behind the transaction.

Jurka cautioned that the sincerity of Starkevičius’ confession will be key in determining its legal weight. “If the confession was made under pressure from evidence rather than genuine remorse, it may not be considered sincere,” he said, adding that Lithuanian law requires admissions of guilt to be voluntary to carry mitigating weight.

The Special Investigation Service (STT) raided Starkevičius’ home and office in early February. Initially cooperative, he later refused to testify and resigned from parliament before formal charges were filed in the case, known as the “Plant Service affair.”