Lithuanian police launch pre-trial investigation into Žemaitaitis’ remarks about March 11 Act signatories

Vilnius police have opened a pre-trial investigation into statements by Remigijus Žemaitaitis, leader of the Nemuno aušra party and a member of parliament, after he referred to the signatories of Lithuania’s 1990 Act of the Re-Establishment of the State of Lithuania as “rebels,” state news agency ELTA reported Tuesday.

The Vilnius City 1st Police Commissariat initiated the probe on March 16 under Article 170²(1) of the Criminal Code, which criminalises public approval, denial, or gross trivialisation of international crimes, Soviet or Nazi-era crimes. Violations can carry penalties ranging from community service to imprisonment for up to two years.

Žemaitaitis made the remarks during the funeral of journalist Rūta Janutienė on March 10, broadcast by OpTV. He argued that the March 11 Act signatories were “participants in a rebellion” because the restoration of independence constituted an overthrow of Soviet rule.

“The signatories of the Act of March 11—tomorrow is the 11th—are still participants in a rebellion. I don’t know why they’re called signatories. Either the restoration of independence wasn’t [just a restoration], there was a revolution in Lithuania, an organised coup, a rebellion. I call them participants in a rebellion,” Žemaitaitis stated.

He later doubled down, describing the events as a “rebellion against the Soviet Union” and comparing the Sąjūdis movement’s role in the process to colour revolutions elsewhere. While insisting the date should be “cherished,” his comments drew criticism. Žemaitaitis later claimed he regretted using the term “coup.”