Lithuanian legislature impedes legal action against MP Dudenas in fiscal scandal
MP Arūnas Dudeğnas, known for the infamous "receipt case," ducked a bullety in the Lithuanian parliament on Tuesday. The legislative body thwarted attempts to prosecute him over allegations of submitting bogus fuel receipts worth around €10,500.
With a count of 69 votes in favor, none against, and two abstentions, the Seimas fell short of the 71 votes needed to strip Dudeğnas of his immunity, sparing him from a potential criminal case.
The Social Democrat MP counted on the support of the majority of his political group, along with MPs from the Nemunas Dawn and Farmers and Greens' factions. Thirty Social Democrats chose to sit this one out, despite their group's decision to back the removal of Dudeğnas' immunity.
Before the vote, Dudeğnas questioned the motives of the prosecutors, accusing them of selectively targeting politicians. "I'm not shying away from responsibility, but I want fair justice," he said, insisting he believed his case could be resolved through civil proceedings.
From his days on the Ukmerge municipal council, Dudeğnas claimed he could have spent over €12,000 on expenses related to his duties, but he did not use all the funds—mostly going toward fuel expenses due to his commute.
The politician didn't deny cashing in on fraudulent receipts but argued that prosecutors should have brought charges against him last year, before he attained legal immunity. Previously, Dudeğnas was adamant about discussing his immunity issue under a simplified procedure and avoiding the formation of a commission, despite a commitment included in the ruling coalition’s agreement.
In response, the Prosecutor General’s Office announced they would close the investigation, lamenting this as not the first time the Seimas had blocked their requests for MPs' immunity. However, they emphasized that the investigation could be reopened should Dudeğnas leave office or lose his political immunity.
While Dudeğnas stays put and maintains his immunity, prosecutors' hands are tied. The resolution may spark public debate about corruption, transparency, and the rule of law in Lithuania. Political maneuvering and the protection of colleagues could be at play here, as in similar cases.
- The incident involving MP Arūnas Dudeğnas, who was accused of submitting bogus fuel receipts, highlights the complexity of policy-and-legislation and politics, as his immunity was protected despite allegations, causing debate about transparency and the rule of law in Lithuania.
- The case of MP Arūnas Dudeğnas, who has faced allegations of fraudulent receipts, has sparked a general news topic, with the ongoing debate centering around the Seimas' decision to refuse stripping his immunity, raising questions about corruption, transparency, and the rule of law in Lithuanian politics.
