In a pre-trial investigation into possible corruption at the State Plant Service, Seimas members Saulius Skvernelis and Kazys Starkevičius have been summoned for questioning as special witnesses, according to Roberta Salynė, who states this in lrytas and ELTA. Commentators say that such stories damage the political system. Politically, this story could hit Skvernelis the hardest, who will likely have to step down as leader of the Democrats for a while.
Kalpokas: Conservatives will “digest” it; the fate of the Democrats may hang in the balance
Ignas Kalpokas, an associate professor at Vytautas Magnus University (VDU), said that so much damage has been done to the political system recently that this investigation will most likely amount to just a lot of noise. It would be more interesting if it did not end with parliamentarians being granted special witness status, but if charges were brought against them. First of all, what would be the fate of the Democratic Union Vardan Lietuvos (In the Name of Lithuania)?
“The Conservatives will be able to digest the Starkevičius case; they have already absorbed it, and I think that it will not cause any critical damage, unless the allegations spread within the party. But the Democrats, as a party that is practically built on one man, if they lose Skvernelis, the fate of the party itself will hang in the balance – will they become another Labour Party after Viktor Uspaskich? This could be the more significant change,” the analyst commented to ELTA.
Kalpokas was not surprised that possible political influence is also featured in the pre-trial investigation. According to him, looking at what was found during previous searches – huge amounts of cash, gold, cocaine, etc. – it is obvious that the officials of the State Plant Service could hardly have accumulated such wealth and bribes without “protection.”
“Since it is unlikely that the entire network could have been established during Starkevičius’s term as minister, which lasted about six months, the question remains whether he is the only former minister of agriculture who may be subject to searches and the like. Again, the previous minister is probably no longer a public figure, so perhaps this information is not so widely known,” said the VDU associate professor.
This is one of the largest pre-trial investigations involving politicians in recent times. However, law enforcement agencies have been criticised in the past for launching high-profile investigations involving politicians that ultimately come to nothing. Kalpokas reiterated that the story’s resonance and impact, especially on Skvernelis and his party, could be significant. So, if everything ended in a fizzle, the institutions could be strongly criticised for making such potentially politically significant decisions without fully evaluating the information and material.
“However, law enforcement activities are such that we can evaluate them from the outside, but we do not have the information that the institutions have at their disposal. Perhaps the information was reliable, but for now, it would seem to be a very problematic situation if it ultimately came to nothing. I certainly think there would be speculation about political motives behind it, etc. Which would be undesirable, because trust in law enforcement agencies is important,” said the commentator.
Spurga: Skvernelis’ reputation has been damaged
Saulius Spurga, an associate professor at Mykolas Romeris University (MRU), says it is difficult to assess the situation at this stage, given that only two politicians are mentioned in a pre-trial investigation into corruption and little information is available. It is not clear exactly what they are suspected of or how deeply they are involved in the scandal and the case.
“Looking back, it is clear that there have been various cases. There have been cases where the accusations were justified. But unfortunately, we also know of more than one high-profile corruption case in which suspicions and accusations against specific individuals were dismissed, sometimes after several court proceedings. So, there is nothing left to do but to take an agnostic view and remain neutral. But the fact is that such searches undoubtedly have an impact and damage the reputation of politicians, political parties, and in this case even the Seimas,” said the commentator.
Starkevičius has suspended his membership in the Homeland Union-Lithuanian Christian Democrats. Skvernelis is still considering his decisions. Regardless of the results of the pre-trial investigation, according to Spurga, the consequences are already visible, and times are not good for the opposition.
At the same time, the MRU associate professor mentioned that Skvernelis’s role in the Democratic Party is very significant. In addition, he is a leader who enjoys considerable public support, a former police commissioner general, and the party’s name is partly derived from the police oath.
“And that is associated with law enforcement and honesty. A leader must be beyond reproach. So, while the investigation is ongoing, and such investigations, as we understand, do not end quickly, Skvernelis will likely have to step down from his position as leader of the political party for some time,” said Spurga.
How the Democratic leader’s political career will unfold depends on the results of the investigation, whether charges will be brought, and the course of the court proceedings.
“So far, politicians, especially Skvernelis, are holding their ground, because it is not uncommon for politicians to find even the slightest pretext to talk about political persecution and bias. Let us remember that, even though Antanas Nedzinskas (Social Democrat member of the Seimas – ELTA) agreed to the revocation of his immunity, he said after the vote that the investigation was political persecution. Skvernelis does not say this, but his reputation, be that as it may, has already been somewhat damaged,” commented the MRU lecturer.
Large-scale investigation
On Monday, Artūras Urbelis, a prosecutor at the Prosecutor General’s Office, confirmed that during the pre-trial investigation into possible corruption at the State Plant Service, it was decided to question Seimas members Skvernelis and Starkevičius as special witnesses.
The prosecutor states that searches were conducted on Monday at the workplaces and residences of the aforementioned parliamentarians.
ELTA recalls that in December last year, during an investigation into large-scale corruption at the State Plant Service, officials detained 13 people, 6 of whom were arrested for 1-2 months. Other suspects were given lighter preventive measures.
According to data from the pre-trial investigation, representatives of companies transporting plants and plant products were systematically required to pay. They paid large bribes to obtain phytosanitary certificates from the State Plant Service for the transport of these goods.
Among the suspects are Jurijus Kornijenka, Director of the State Plant Service, who has now been suspended from his duties; his deputy, Mantas Butas; advisor Agnė Silickienė; Giedrius Urbelionis, Head of the Alytus regional branch; and Dalia Šubonienė, acting Head of the Kaunas regional branch.
They have been charged with bribery as part of an organised group. Seven private company executives and related individuals have also been charged with bribery, corruption, and influence peddling as part of an organised group.
During more than 100 searches, over EUR 1.3 million in cash and 8 kilograms of gold worth approximately EUR 1 million were seized, and 11,000 packs of cigarettes, 14,000 litres of alcohol, cocaine, and explosives were also found.
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