Former agriculture minister Kazys Starkevičius admits taking bribe

Former Lithuanian agriculture minister Kazys Starkevičius has confessed to law enforcement that he accepted a bribe, later handing the money to investigators, according to a report by news portal *15min*, as cited by LRT and BNS.

Starkevičius, who recently resigned from parliament, expressed regret over his actions. Sources told *15min* that the bribe—amounting to up to €20,000—was delivered to him in October 2025. The payment was allegedly arranged by businessman Danielius Krinickis, linked to former State Plant Service director Igoris Kornijenko. Krinickis is also implicated in an ongoing corruption case in Šiauliai involving Mayor Artūras Visockas.

Unconfirmed reports suggest the cash was left for Starkevičius in a package at the Seimas dormitory in Vilnius, avoiding detection during a February search of his home and office. According to *15min* sources, the politician voluntarily surrendered the money to investigators.

Starkevičius claimed he did not solicit the bribe and initially attempted to return it, but acknowledged ultimately keeping the €20,000. He told *15min* he could no longer live with the guilt. “A huge weight has lifted from me. This was the biggest mistake of my life, a lapse of judgment,” he said.

The case is part of a broader corruption probe into the State Plant Service, where bribes allegedly totaled over €1.1 million. Former Prime Minister and Seimas Speaker Saulius Skvernelis, his ex-adviser Agnė Silickienė, and others face suspicion in the scheme, which involved monthly payoffs from plant and produce transport firms in exchange for phytosanitary certificates.

Conservative Party leader Laurynas Kasčiūnas told LRT Radio that Starkevičius’s admission was news to him and that any decision on the politician’s party membership would be reviewed in due course. “This is completely new to me. Starkevičius knows the details best. He is cooperating with law enforcement, which is perhaps good news,” Kasčiūnas said, adding that Starkevičius had already suspended his party activities.