Seimo committee defers decision on declassifying former KGB collaborators

A parliamentary committee in Lithuania has delayed a decision on a proposed law to declassify the names of former KGB collaborators starting in 2028, following heated debate. The National Security and Defence Committee (NSGK) of the Seimas rejected amendments submitted by Remigijus Žemaitaitis, leader of the “Nemuno aušra” party, LRT reports.

The State Governance and Municipalities Committee, which is handling the issue, has not yet reached a conclusion. During a meeting on Tuesday, members decided to extend discussions after a break.

Algirdas Bložė, representing the State Security Department (VSD), opposed the proposal, warning that repealing the law could expose individuals who admitted to collaborating with the KGB. He stressed that these individuals had provided sensitive information about their contacts, knowledge, and tasks, which remains relevant today.

“Given the current geopolitical situation, we believe these individuals could face real danger,” Bložė said. He noted that only about 1% of collaborators had come forward, and disclosing their names could allow Russia to identify and potentially blackmail those who had not admitted their past ties.

Conservative MP Valdas Rakutis argued that the state must uphold its promise of confidentiality. “If the state gave guarantees in the form of a law, that is the state’s word, and it cannot be broken,” he said. “A person who confessed has already switched to our side. If we expose them, no one will ever come forward again. This would be a betrayal of our own people.”

Democrat Domas Griškevičius also urged adherence to the rule of law, questioning whether public disclosure would further escalate geopolitical tensions. “Let’s not forget the geopolitical context. Imagine if we reveal these names today—they will be targeted. Do we need additional confrontation in this situation?” he asked.

Asta Aranauskienė, representing the Lithuanian Genocide and Resistance Research Centre, said the proposed changes could affect around 400 working-age individuals, putting them at risk if their past collaboration were revealed. Of the 1,281 who admitted to collaborating, 312 are aged 66–75, and 91 are aged 55–65. She estimated that 600–800 may have already died, though exact figures would require checking the Population Register.

Meanwhile, MP Vitalijus Šeršniovas insisted the public has a right to know. “Statistics suggest that out of 100 people, only one confessed, while 99 did not. Why is all this being hidden? Why can’t Lithuanians find out who really worked for whom?” he asked.

Daiva Žebelienė, deputy speaker of the Seimas and a member of the “Nemuno aušra” faction, argued that after decades, much of the information may no longer be sensitive.