Lithuanian ethics watchdog yet to rule on Maybach case

The Lithuanian Journalists’ Ethics Inspectorate has not yet issued a decision in its investigation into social media personality Laurynas Burovas–Maybach, more than a month after launching the probe, LRT.lt reports.

The watchdog began examining Maybach’s public statements about Russia in May, following his comments on the war in Ukraine and Ukrainian history. Authorities warned at the time that his remarks, which have over 200,000 followers online, could pose an “information threat” and risk rewriting history.

Among the claims under scrutiny are assertions that NATO is obligated not to expand eastward—a stance Maybach argues provokes Russian aggression—and that eastern Ukraine, invaded by Russia in 2014, constitutes “historical Russian lands.”

Even after the investigation was announced, Maybach continued posting content suggesting recent Ukrainian strikes in Crimea and Russia are linked to NATO. In a recent video, he stated: “The news now says Russia is being attacked, factories are being destroyed. That is the function of NATO expansion—to pose a threat to Russia, to get closer, to encircle it, so that it suffers, so that it collapses.”

The Inspectorate has the authority to order the removal of such material or, if non-compliance occurs, refer the case to prosecutors. However, the body confirmed to LRT.lt that the investigation remains ongoing, with no timeline for a final decision.