Šimašius distances himself from business group accused of bribing Masiulis

Šimašius is also indirectly associated with the business group. For several years, MG Baltic has supported the Lithuanian Free Market Institute, which was previously led by Šimašius. The business group was interested in a national stadium project in Vilnius. The MG Baltic group’s company Mitnija was selected as a subcontractor for the construction of a 25m pool in Vilnius despite the fact that the tender was won by another consortium.

“I know that today and for some time, I will have to keep explaining myself until my answers to all of your questions are clear. Because many are asking about the MG Group and potential links, I’d once again like to lay it all out on the table,” Šimašius wrote on social media. “I do not maintain a personal relationship with the MG group’s representatives. I’d meet them about once a year. The last time I saw them was in the beginning of May for lunch. Over our lunch, we discussed the Basanavičius monument, the Green Bridge sculptures and the Japanese garden. Before that, I had met them about a year and a half ago.”

Šimašius detailed a number of decisions made by him and the municipality that had not been made in the MG Baltic group’s best interests. “MG Baltic had a clear visions for the Basanavičius monument and its location (in Sirvydas square), and my decision was the opposite – a different location and a publicly announced tender for the monument,” wrote Šimašius. “Some time ago, MG applied to change the zoning for a large plot of land on Tujų street. Yesterday, I learned that their request had long since received a negative answer. I have never received any ambiguous offer from the MG group, directly or indirectly. I have never accepted any illegal gifts.”