Lithuanian parliament votes on lifting ex-PM Paluckas’ immunity for criminal investigation

The Lithuanian Seimas voted Thursday on whether to lift the legal immunity of former prime minister Gintautas Paluckas to allow prosecutors to bring charges of unlawful enrichment, LRT reports.

Under the constitution, a member of parliament cannot be held criminally liable or have their freedom restricted without the Seimas’ approval. A minimum of 71 out of 141 lawmakers must support the motion for immunity to be waived.

Prosecutor General Nida Grunskienė has alleged that Paluckas and his wife acquired assets worth nearly €344,578 through unexplained income. Last week, Paluckas sold his 51% stake in Vilnius-based electronics manufacturer Emus to co-owner Mindaugas Milašauskas. Authorities have also seized two apartments owned by Paluckas and his wife in Vilnius, though no further assets have been frozen.

Paluckas, who resigned as prime minister last summer amid allegations in the so-called “guinea pig case” and questions over his business dealings, denies wrongdoing. He has suspended his membership in the Social Democratic Party but remains in its parliamentary faction, claiming he can account for the funds used to acquire his assets.

President Gitanas Nausėda has stated that Paluckas should resign from parliament. Current Social Democratic Party leader Mindaugas Sinkevičius said Paluckas told him he saw “no political future” for himself, though the lawmaker insists he retains a passion for politics.