Lithuanian prosecutors have launched a pretrial investigation into a possible breach of public order after Remigijus Žemaitaitis, leader of the Nemunas Dawn party, was involved in a physical confrontation with protesters during a meeting with residents in the town of Vilkaviškis.
The incident occurred Monday when protesters chanting “Go home, liar, go home” were denied entry to the meeting. Video footage from the scene appears to show pushing and shoving near the entrance to the hall.
Saulenas Aželskas, a member of the Vilkaviškis municipal council from the conservative Homeland Union party who witnessed the incident, said Žemaitaitis’ aides blocked access to the venue and refused to let young people inside.
“They simply blocked the way to the hall and said they would not let the youth in,” Aželskas said.
According to Aželskas, tensions escalated when protesters attempted to enter the building and were pushed back by Žemaitaitis’ supporters. He said Žemaitaitis later joined the confrontation and shoved an older man, contradicting the politician’s claim that he was intervening to protect seniors.
“Remigijus Žemaitaitis apparently lost his temper, approached and pushed him,” Aželskas said, adding that the elderly man was pushed out twice and would have fallen to the ground if not caught by younger protesters.
Žemaitaitis said he acted to prevent violence and claimed the young protester he pushed had been shoving seniors. He said he plans to hand over material to police.
“I pushed him away with my hand and told him to get lost, because a few more minutes and there would have been serious trouble,” Žemaitaitis said.
The protester who was pushed declined to comment to the media.
Prosecutors said the investigation is focused on whether public order was violated and is not currently directed at any specific individual. No charges have been filed.
Žemaitaitis, who is also a member of parliament, will be questioned as part of the investigation, though his procedural status has not yet been determined.
“He will have to be questioned in one capacity or another, and that status will be assigned once the necessary data is collected,” prosecutor Vytautas Nacikūnas said.
The incident has drawn reactions from political leaders and the presidency. Presidential chief adviser Deividas Matulionis described the situation as regrettable and said it showed a lack of mutual respect.
Social Democratic Party leader Mindaugas Sinkevičius said emotions appeared to have run too high. A spokesperson for Prime Minister Ingrida Šimonytė called Žemaitaitis’ behaviour “shameful” and said it crossed the boundaries of acceptable conduct, though it was unclear whether it would affect the ruling coalition.
Protesters also greeted Žemaitaitis at a meeting Tuesday in Domeikava, where arguments broke out even before the event began. Police were present to monitor the situation.
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