Lithuania’s parliament on Thursday voted to strip former prime minister and ex-speaker Saulius Skvernelis of his legal immunity as prosecutors pursue bribery charges.
The motion passed in the Seimas with 102 votes in favour, one against and two abstentions, exceeding the minimum 71 votes required in the 141-seat chamber.
Under the Constitution, a lawmaker cannot be prosecuted or have their liberty restricted without parliamentary consent.
Skvernelis’ immunity was lifted under a simplified procedure following his own request.
Prosecutors intend to charge the lawmaker in a corruption case linked to the State Plant Service. Prosecutor General Nida Grunskienė told parliament the case involves more than 1 million euros in alleged bribes.
Addressing lawmakers earlier this week, Grunskienė said evidence indicates Skvernelis agreed to and accepted at least 51,000 euros in cash bribes on multiple occasions between June and November 2025, when he was serving as speaker of parliament.
According to investigators, the payments were allegedly delivered by his then-adviser Agne Silickienė, who also worked at the State Plant Service.
In return, Skvernelis – leader of the Democratic Union “For Lithuania” – is suspected of promising to use his influence to keep Jurij Kornijenko as head of the agency, assist in handling complaints and influence staff appointments.
Prosecutors say Skvernelis was aware the funds originated from illicit activities.
He denies the allegations, maintaining he neither negotiated nor accepted bribes.
The broader investigation centres on alleged corruption within the State Plant Service, where officials are suspected of accepting payments in exchange for issuing phytosanitary certificates without proper inspections of plant and vegetable shipments.
Grunskienė said evidence suggests Kornijenko, his adviser Aurelijus Šapranauskas and others formed an organised group to systematically accept bribes.
“In implementing this criminal association, between June 2025 and December 11, 2025, they accepted at least 1.112 million euros in bribes for lawful actions of civil servants in the exercise of their powers,” she said.
The case against Skvernelis is based on witness and suspect testimony, evidence seized during searches and other investigative materials.
Skvernelis was questioned as a special witness by the Special Investigation Service in early February. He suspended his party membership last week and withdrew from the Democratic group in parliament.
The corruption probe involves 15 suspects. Among them is former lawmaker Kazys Starkevičius, a conservative who previously served as agriculture minister and appointed Kornijenko to lead the State Plant Service.
‘My political career is over’
Speaking at the parliament, Skvernelis said he was considering to give up his MP seat.
“This issue is on the agenda,” Skvernelis told fellow lawmakers.
The decision will depend on financial considerations, too, he explained.
“The legal process is certainly not cheap; you need to have those funds if you want to defend yourself successfully,” he said.
He urged fellow lawmakers to vote in favour of stripping his legal immunity, arguing it would allow him to defend himself through legal means.
While he is not yet a formal suspect, Skvernelis said he was already “convicted by the public” after his home and parliamentary office were searched in early February.
“Yes, my political career is over,” Skvernelis said.
Before thanking a group of politicians for their support despite his situation, the politician broke down in tears while speaking at the podium.
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