Lithuania conducts searches at offices of Nemunas Dawn party leader

Lithuania’s Financial Crime Investigation Service (FNTT) has carried out searches at the offices of Remigijus Žemaitaitis, leader of the Nemunas Dawn party, his associate Daiva Petkevičienė, as well as at the party’s headquarters, LRT reports.

An investigation was launched in March over suspected fraud, though no charges have been filed so far.

Police are examining possible violations related to a scheme involving the rental of personal vehicles owned by Žemaitaitis and Petkevičienė, which were reportedly leased to the party but, according to investigators, remained in use by their owners.

Earlier, Lithuania’s Central Electoral Commission identified irregularities in financial spending and a lack of supporting documentation amounting to €49,500, as well as the submission of inaccurate data.

As a result, the party lost state funding totalling €241,800. Žemaitaitis and Petkevičienė were also ordered to repay €26,776 and €15,349, respectively.

The party has appealed the decisions, maintaining that the vehicle rental arrangements were legal and conducted in accordance with tax regulations.

By Jeyhun Aghazada