Lithuanian MP under ethics probe for sharing doctored protest photo

The Lithuanian parliament’s Ethics and Procedures Commission has launched an investigation into Remigijus Žemaitaitis, leader of the nationalist group Nemuno aušra (“Dawn of Nemunas”), over a doctored protest photo he shared on social media, LRT reports.

Žemaitaitis, a member of the Seimas, posted an altered image from an April protest at Vilnius Cathedral Square under the slogan “Hands off free speech.” The original photo showed a woman holding a sign reading “Is accountability still on the way?” but was edited to display the vulgar phrase “Remyga bs” instead.

In his post, the lawmaker described the event as a “celebration of phallic worship” and claimed the phallus was “a synonym for free speech!” After media outlets exposed the manipulation, Žemaitaitis admitted sharing the fake image to “stimulate discussion about public displays of taste.” He alleged the alteration was made by a “cultural community.”

The ethics watchdog, which has repeatedly scrutinised Žemaitaitis for conduct violations, will examine whether his actions breached parliamentary rules. No timeline for the probe’s conclusion was provided.