Prosecutors reopen pre-trial investigation into Eduardas Vaitkus’ Belarus trip
Lithuania’s Prosecutor General’s Office has reopened a pre-trial investigation into former presidential candidate Eduardas Vaitkus over a visit to Belarus last year, LRT reports.
The investigation was resumed on July 3 after a higher prosecutor ordered a review of the earlier decision to close the case, according to Elena Martinonienė, a spokeswoman for the Prosecutor General’s Office.
“The investigation is ongoing, and necessary procedural actions are being carried out. No charges have been brought against anyone,” Martinonienė said.
Vaitkus announced the reopened investigation on social media, using it for political advertising and soliciting donations for his parliamentary campaign in the Nalšia North single-member constituency. He stated that the public deserves clear answers and that elections must adhere to principles of transparency, legality, and political neutrality.
The investigation was initially launched after Vaitkus, during a visit to Minsk, claimed that Lithuania’s President Gitanas Nausėda was elected illegally and that Lithuania was on a path to destroying its statehood and people. His remarks were published by Belarusian state news agency Belta and other media outlets. Prosecutors previously determined that while his actions were morally and ethically condemnable and undermined civic values, they did not meet the threshold for criminal liability.
No evidence was found that Vaitkus’ statements gained significant traction in Belarusian or Russian media, or that he received financial compensation for his visit and appearances in Belarusian propaganda outlets.
Following the trip, President Nausėda stripped Vaitkus of the Order of the Grand Duke Gediminas, Knight’s Cross, on the recommendation of the State Awards Council, which cited damage to the reputation of the award.
Vaitkus is running in the upcoming parliamentary election in the Nalšia North constituency, where 11 other candidates are also vying for the seat left vacant by the unexpected death of MP Jevgenijus Šuklinas.