The Statesmen, or Statesmen Clan (Lithuanian: "valstybininkai", "valstybininkų" klanas, generally written with quote marks) is a conspiracy theory which claims that a deep state of unelected officials, based in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the State Security Department of Lithuania (VSD), seeks to influence the actions of elected officials, protect each other in power and take control of Lithuania.[1] The conspiracy theory emerged in 2006, after the death of VSD officer Vytautas Pociūnas in Belarus, who the theory claims was a whistleblower of the clan's activities.[2] The conspiracy theory was promoted by politicians in the Homeland Union (TS-LKD).[1]
Though primarily connected with investigations from 2006 to 2010, the theory has experienced a revival since 2019, after opponents of the Homeland Union claimed that the "clan" remains active and is pressuring the Šimonytė Cabinet.[3]
- ^ a b Tvaskienė, Jurga (19 March 2018). "Klaida ar noras užvaldyti valstybę: vienas skandalingiausių tyrimų, prasidėjęs grasinimu nesikapstyti po kaulus". Delfi (in Lithuanian).
- ^ Tvaskienė, Jurga (8 January 2024). ""Valstybininkų" istorijoje metas padėti tašką". LRT (in Lithuanian).
- ^ Celencevičius, Raimundas (21 December 2023). ""Valstybininkų" klanas: kas tai buvo ir kas jį sudarė?" (in Lithuanian). 15min.lt.