Lithuanian MP Šimonytė calls corruption probes into lawmakers’ homes “no laughing matter”

Recent searches by law enforcement in the offices and homes of Lithuanian parliamentarians reinforce the false narrative that politics is inherently corrupt, former Prime Minister and current MP Ingrida Šimonytė told national broadcaster LRT on Friday.

“The situation is absolutely no laughing matter,” Šimonytė said in an interview with Žinių Radijas. “Every visit by our services to politicians—especially in parliament—gives someone another chance to paint all politicians and the entire political system with the same brush, claiming that politics is a sphere where honest people simply cannot exist. And that is untrue.”

She acknowledged that law enforcement agencies are carrying out their duties when they see a need for procedural actions, but stressed that such cases should not imply immunity from accountability for anyone. “From this perspective, it’s clear there are no saints here, no untouchables—no one is shielded from legal responsibility if they are suspected of wrongdoing.”

Šimonytė warned that high-profile investigations create opportunities for self-styled “saviours” to emerge, claiming they alone are untainted and can “rescue” Lithuania from its political system through unsystematic actions.

Her comments follow searches conducted Thursday by the Financial Crime Investigation Service (FNTT) at the workplaces, homes, and party headquarters of Remigijus Žemaitaitis, leader of the opposition Nemuno Aušra (Dawn of Nemunas) party, and party member Daiva Petkevičienė. The searches relate to an ongoing probe into car rental arrangements. Earlier probes in a separate bribery case at the State Plant Service also led to searches in the homes and parliamentary offices of former MP Kaziys Starkevičius and ex-Prime Minister Saulius Skvernelis.