Former MP Kristijonas Bartoševičius is suspected of sexually abusing four minors while he served as a member of the Lithuanian parliament, Seimas, the Prosecutor General’s Office said on Wednesday.
Prosecutors have brought formal suspicions against Bartoševičius as part of their investigation.
“The available evidence from the pre-trial investigation suggests that the offences were committed while the suspect was a member of the Seimas,” the office said in a press release.
“At present, four persons, who were minors at the time, have been recognised as victims,” it said.
Bartoševičius, who resigned as MP last week, has been questioned, according to the press release.
News about the investigation broke out last week when prosecutors asked the parliament to lift Bartoševičius’ legal immunity so he could be questioned. The Prosecutor General’s Office did not give any details, only saying that the investigation was carried out under Criminal Code articles concerning sexual abuse of minors.
Earlier on the same day, the politician, elected to the parliament with the conservative Homeland Union (TS-LKD) party in 2020, had announced he was giving up his seat for personal reasons.
Following the news about the investigation, Bartoševičius said he did not know what it was about and that it was not the reason for his resignation. While formal suspicions had not been brought yet at the time, he rejected suggestions that he committed abuse against minors.
Before becoming politician, Bartoševičius, 35, worked as a teacher in several schools in Kaunas, led a boys’ choir, and acted in a political satire TV show.
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