This information is provided in the May 29th Kaunas County Chief Police Commissariat notification of suspicion given to E. Vaitkus, which was seen by BNS.
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“Sufficient factual data has been collected in the pre-trial investigation case to reasonably suspect that Eduardas Vaitkus committed an act prohibited by the Criminal Code of the Republic of Lithuania, as established in Article 127,” the notification states.
The mentioned Criminal Code article provides liability for public desecration of state symbols – the Lithuanian flag, coat of arms, or national anthem.
According to the notification of suspicion, E. Vaitkus publicly published at least three times on his Facebook account an image depicting the first restored coat of arms of independent Lithuania, integrating symbols reminiscent of Nazi Germany.
According to law enforcement, the suspect “mocked the Lithuanian state symbol” in this way, simultaneously “attempting to undermine the state’s authority.”
General Prosecutor’s Office representative Elena Martinonienė also confirmed to BNS that E. Vaitkus was charged with possible desecration of state symbols.
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“Yes, it can be confirmed that such charges were previously announced to him. Today, a second interrogation took place during which some circumstances were clarified,” she stated.
In turn, E. Vaitkus says he does not understand why he is suspected. He calls the process political persecution and links the charges to complaints about allegedly illegally raised Ukrainian flags on Kaunas police buildings.
“At the police, I stated that I do not understand on what grounds I am accused, because what was published on Facebook was recognized in writing as permissible by Lithuanian law enforcement – police and prosecution – therefore I consider this political persecution,” E. Vaitkus posted on social media on Friday.
Law enforcement has also initiated a pre-trial investigation for aiding another state to act against Lithuania after E. Vaitkus stated in Belarus last spring that Lithuania is on a path to destroy Lithuanians and statehood, and claimed that President Gitanas Nausėda was elected illegally.
In the 2024 presidential election, E. Vaitkus received 7.31% of the voters’ votes and placed fifth. In the parliamentary elections, the list of candidates led by him from the Lithuanian People’s Party did not pass the 5% election threshold – it was supported by 2.64% of voters.
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