Lithuanian conservative leader’s family business under prosecutors’ investigation

Gabrielius Landsbergis
DELFI / Mindaugas Ažušilis

According to reports by the media centre of the Lithuanian Social Democratic party (LSDP), the Division of Protection of the Public Interest at Vilnius Regional Prosecutor’s Office has announced about the launch of an investigation into “potential damage to national interests”.

Prosecutors are collecting information on the raise of fees at private kindergartens Vaikystės Sodas owned by Austėja Landsbergienė, wife of Gabrielius Landsbergis, which happened just after the announcement by Vilnius City Mayor Remigijus Šimašius about the city’s intentions to provide subsidies to parents enrolling their children in private kindergartens. Fees at Landsbergienė’s kindergartens were suddenly increased by exactly the sum provided by the Vilnius City Municipality. It was said that this way the private family business of the politician gained some EUR 0.5 million.

The Seimas group of the LSDP has also asked prosecutors to examine the circumstances how premises in Vilnius Old Town, owned by UAB NT Valda, part of the state-controlled group of companies Lietuvos Energija, were rented out to Landsbergienė’s private school Karalienės Mortos Mokykla on easy terms.

Update: No investigation yet

The Prosecutor General’s Office specified on Monday afternoon that it has yet to make a decision on whether to open an investigation into Landsbergienė’s business practices.

According to spokeswoman Elena Martinonienė, the Prosecutor General’s Office has extended the deadline to decide whether to invoke “measures protecting public interest” until November 26.

Gabrielius Landsbergis commented on Monday that the issue is an attempt by the Social Democratic Party to draw attention away from protectionism scandals that have plagued the party’s reputation in recent months.

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