Lithuanian prosecutor launches pre-trial investigation into MP Žemaitaitis over potential hate incitement

A pre-trial investigation has been launched to determine whether Lithuanian MP Remigijus Žemaitaitis incited hatred by sharing a manipulated photo on social media, the country’s Prosecutor General’s Office announced Friday.

The probe, initiated by the Criminal Prosecution Department, will examine whether Žemaitaitis’ actions constituted incitement against any national, racial, ethnic, religious, or other social group, the office stated. Vilniaus City District Prosecutors will oversee the investigation.

The case follows a complaint filed in late April by European Parliament member Dainius Žalimas, who accused Žemaitaitis of sharing a fake AI-generated protest image and later publicly degrading a Lithuanian citizen. Žalimas alleged the MP used vulgar sexual comments to provoke and escalate hostility.

In late April, Žemaitaitis posted a photo from a protest over threats to free speech, showing a woman holding a sign reading “Remyga bs.” He claimed the event was a “phallus worship festival” and equated the phallus with free speech. Media later revealed the image was doctored—the original sign read “Is responsibility still on the way?”

Žemaitaitis admitted sharing the fake photo to “spark discussion” about public outrage but blamed cultural groups for the manipulation. This week, the Seimas Ethics Guardians also opened an inquiry into his conduct.