Lithuania’s prosecutor general files corruption charges against former PM’s wife

Lithuania’s prosecutor general has formally accused Ilma Paluckė, the wife of former prime minister Gintautas Paluckas, of illicit enrichment, public broadcaster LRT reported Tuesday.

Prosecutor General Nida Grunskienė confirmed the charges during a parliamentary session, stating that Paluckė faces allegations under Article 189(1) of the Criminal Code, which criminalises unlawful asset accumulation. Conviction under this article can result in fines, restricted liberty, arrest, or imprisonment for up to four years.

Grunskienė did not disclose specific details behind the charges but referenced a period from December 2010 to December 2024 as the focus of the pre-trial investigation. “I only know general information—how much money could not be justified in terms of legality and substantiation,” she told lawmakers.

The prosecutor general has also requested that Parliament lift Paluckas’s legal immunity to pursue charges against the former prime minister himself. The request cites suspicions that Paluckas and his wife may have unlawfully acquired assets worth nearly €345,000, including cash deposits, vehicles, real estate, and securities.

Paluckas declined to comment on the charges against his wife, stating, “My wife is a private individual. I certainly do not want to comment on anything about my wife.” He has previously resisted calls to resign his parliamentary seat but agreed to a simplified procedure to waive his immunity.

The allegations follow journalistic investigations last year into Paluckas’s business ties and questionable transactions, which contributed to his resignation as prime minister in July 2025. Earlier this month, business daily Verslo žinios reported that Paluckas had divested his shares in electronics manufacturer Emus, leaving his business partner Mindaugas Milašauskas as the sole shareholder.

President Gitanas Nausėda last week urged Paluckas to step down as an MP, though the politician has stated he has no intention of doing so.