Vilnius police assess lawmaker’s claims about upcoming non-violent coup

Vilnius criminal police are evaluating statements by opposition lawmaker Remigijus Žemaitaitis about a potential “non-violent coup” in Lithuania this autumn, public broadcaster LRT reports.

The Vilnius County Chief Police Commissariat confirmed it is gathering evidence under Article 114 of the Criminal Code, which covers conspiracy or participation in a state coup. The provision carries penalties of 4 to 20 years’ imprisonment or life. A decision on whether to launch a formal investigation has not yet been made, according to police spokesperson Loreta Kairienė.

Žemaitaitis, leader of the far-right Aušra party, claimed in a May interview with OpTV that Lithuania could face an internal “state coup” in autumn, though he suggested it might not be violent. He described it as involving “physical confrontations” with individuals.

The lawmaker is already under pre-trial investigation for separate remarks about Lithuania’s 1990 Act of Independence signatories, whom he called “rebels” and accused of staging a coup against Soviet rule. That probe, initiated under laws prohibiting public approval of international crimes, carries potential penalties of up to two years in prison.

Žemaitaitis later apologised for using the term “coup” but maintained his view that the 1990 independence restoration constituted a revolt.