Lithuania’s ethics watchdog to review mayor’s attendance at basketball finals

The Lithuanian Chief Official Ethics Commission (VTEK) will examine a complaint filed by Vilnius city council opposition member Aleksandras Nemunaitis regarding the participation of Mayor Valdas Benkunskas and municipal administration director Adomas Bužinskas in the FIBA Champions League final featuring Vilnius “Rytas,” LRT reports.

VTEK spokesperson Virginija Aleksejūnė confirmed the commission had received Nemunaitis’ report and would decide at its next meeting whether to launch a formal investigation. “The submission has been forwarded for review and will be presented to the commission to determine further action—whether to initiate or decline an inquiry,” she stated.

Nemunaitis formally requested on Monday that VTEK assess whether Benkunskas and Bužinskas’ attendance in premium courtside seats at the May 26 final in Badalona, Spain—where “Rytas” competed—constituted an ethical conflict. In a Facebook post, he questioned whether officials should accept “privileges from organisations whose funding and legal status fall under decisions made by the municipality they lead.”

The complaint also highlighted Benkunskas’ informal interaction with Arvydas Avulis, board chairman of real estate developer Hanner, who was seated beside the mayor during the game. Nemunaitis emphasised the need for “transparency” rather than “preemptive accusations.” Hanner acquired a controlling stake last year in Venetus Capital, the parent company of Vilnius Multifunctional Complex, the concessionaire for the city’s under-construction National Stadium, and is involved in other major municipal projects.

Last week, Vilnius city council approved a €500,000 bonus for “Rytas” in recognition of its 2025–2026 season performance and promotion of the city’s reputation.