Virginijus Sinkevičius says reputation damaged despite dismissed NGO funding allegations

European Parliament member Virginijus Sinkevičius claims his reputation suffered lasting harm from baseless accusations last autumn regarding opaque financing of non-governmental organisations (NGOs), LRT reports.

The allegations—later retracted with apologies—were spread publicly by individuals who admitted they had no grounds for the claims. “This was purely a political complaint with no foundation, and no investigation was ever launched,” Sinkevičius told BNS on Tuesday. “The complaint was filed in the context of the Dutch elections.”

He added that despite the lack of evidence, the accusations were repeatedly escalated, forcing him to involve law enforcement. “The main figures spreading these claims have now publicly apologised,” he said, expressing hope the issue would be closed.

Last July, the European Taxpayers’ Association filed complaints with the EU Prosecutor’s Office in Luxembourg and Munich, alleging that the previous European Commission had improperly allocated €7 billion to NGOs between 2019–2024 without adequate oversight. The funds were purportedly used to promote the EU Green Deal, influence the European Parliament, and litigate against private companies. Sinkevičius, then EU Commissioner for Environment, Oceans, and Fisheries, was named alongside Frans Timmermans, the Commission’s Executive Vice-President for the Green Deal.

Media outlets including Transparency International and Euronews later dismissed the allegations as false. Sinkevičius said the claims led to questions from colleagues, family, and the press. “I naively thought that without any basis or investigation, the issue would fade—but it took on a life of its own,” he said.

Among those who apologised was Kaunas District Council member and comedian Artūras Orlauskas, who had previously spread the accusations.