Lithuanian Supreme Administrative Court upholds ruling that Nemuno Aušra committed serious violation

The Lithuanian Supreme Administrative Court (LVAT) has ruled that the Central Electoral Commission (VRK) was justified in concluding that the political party Nemuno Aušra committed a serious financial violation by leasing cars from two of its members.

According to the court, the party used state budget funds allocated for its activities to pay for the car rentals, amounting to €49,500, without proper documentation. The party also submitted incorrect data to the VRK. These violations were classified as serious, resulting in the party losing its first-half state subsidy of €241,800.

The court partially upheld the complaints from Nemuno Aušra, its leader Remigijus Žemaitaitis, and party member Daiva Petkevičienė, stating that the VRK did not have the legal authority to order the return of the undocumented sums to the party’s bank account. This decision is final and not subject to appeal.

The VRK had also ordered Žemaitaitis and Petkevičienė to return €26,776 and €15,349 respectively to the party. Nemuno Aušra has disputed the VRK’s decision, claiming the cars were leased in accordance with the procedures set by the State Tax Inspectorate.

Meanwhile, the Financial Crime Investigation Service is conducting a pre-trial investigation into possible fraud to determine whether a crime was committed when Žemaitaitis and Petkevičienė leased their cars to Nemuno Aušra while also using them personally.

Nemuno Aušra currently holds 18 seats in the Seimas. The party was part of the ruling coalition for nearly two years but the social democrats terminated the coalition agreement with Nemuno Aušra at the beginning of June.

Source: LRT