FNTT searches homes of five Nemuno aušra politicians

Financial crime investigators searched the homes of five politicians from the Nemuno aušra party on Tuesday morning, LRT and BNS report. The searches were confirmed by the prosecutor’s office after they were first reported by the news portal 15min.

The searches were carried out at the homes of five of the party’s 11 board members and members of parliament: Robertas Puchovičius, Kęstutis Bilius, Daiva Žebelienė, Lina Šukytė-Korsakė and Tadas Sadauskis.

The politicians could not be reached for comment. Prosecutor General Nida Grunskienė declined to comment on the procedural actions, while representatives of the Prosecutor General’s Office and the Financial Crime Investigation Service did not respond to inquiries.

It remains unclear which pre-trial investigation prompted the searches. According to 15min, the investigation concerns the finances of Nemuno aušra. Authorities said the searches were conducted as part of an investigation launched in March into the circumstances surrounding the rental of cars to the party for members of parliament, and to collect data relevant to the case.

The investigation is continuing, and no one has been charged at this stage. Searches were conducted in May at the workplace and home of party leader Remigijus Žemaitaitis, as well as at the workplace and home of board member Daiva Petkevičienė and at the party headquarters.

Žemaitaitis confirmed to LRT Radio on Tuesday morning that the searches were taking place. He said they were related to the same case, which he described as having been opened in May, and concerned board meeting minutes submitted to authorities.

He said investigators might be checking whether the minutes were authentic and whether any documents had been forged. According to Žemaitaitis, the investigation involved parliamentarians Robertas Puchovičius, Daiva Žebelienė and Kęstutis Bilius. He said he had no information about the other party members.