When President G.Nausėda was visiting London, E.Bajarūnas invited him and his wife to “Phantom of the Opera”, and bought the tickets with the money of the embassy. The ambassador later said it was a misunderstanding, which he later corrected and paid from his own funds.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs indicates that the tickets were bought with the funds of the embassy and these expenses were once again approved by the decision of E. Bajarūnas, and returned only after a scandal broke out.
“Tickets to the cultural event for the ambassador, the President of the Republic and their spouses were paid with the embassy card in 2023. May 4 July 5 of the same year. the expenses were once again approved by the ambassador when approving the income-expenditure report,” the letter of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs addressed to the ambassador, which was also seen by BNS, states.
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the request to cover these costs from personal funds was submitted only when the ministry became interested in the situation – “more than 4 months later”.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Gabrielius Landsbergis, signed an order on Monday temporarily suspending the functions of the Ambassador of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the Sultanate of Oman and Portugal E. Bajarūnas from October 19.
The minister made such a decision after the ambassador received accusations of mobbing and abuse. After investigating the complaints, the General Inspectorate of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs found violations and offered to decide on the suitability of E. Bajarūnas to lead the embassy.
E. Bajarūnas claims that he is experiencing psychological violence from the MFA, because leaking information harms his reputation.
The Ambassador also appealed to the Government, the Ministries of the Interior and Foreign Affairs, requesting an independent investigation into possible psychological violence at the embassy based on the complaints and other reports submitted by the employees, if any, and into possible psychological violence and defamation of his own reputation.
President G. Nausėda stated on Wednesday that the decision to summon E. Bajarūnas, the ambassador to the United Kingdom accused of mobbing, to Vilnius for consultations is “half-hearted” and creates a flawed situation.
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2024-09-19 06:33:05
What are the allegations against Lithuanian Ambassador E.Bajarūnas regarding embassy funds?
Table of Contents
Lithuanian Ambassador Embroiled in Controversy: Misuse of Embassy Funds and Bullying Allegations
The Lithuanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been rocked by a scandal involving Ambassador E.Bajarūnas, who has been accused of misusing embassy funds and bullying staff members. The controversy has led to the temporary suspension of the ambassador’s functions and has sparked a heated debate about the leadership and management of the embassy.
Misuse of Embassy Funds
At the center of the controversy is the allegation that Ambassador Bajarūnas used embassy funds to purchase tickets to the musical “Phantom of the Opera” for President G.Nausėda and his wife during a visit to London. The ambassador initially claimed that the purchase was a misunderstanding, which he later corrected and paid for out of his own pocket. However, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has disputed this claim, stating that the tickets were indeed purchased with embassy funds and that the expenses were approved by the ambassador himself.
According to a letter from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the tickets were purchased on May 4, 2023, and the expenses were approved by the ambassador on July 5 of the same year. The ministry only became aware of the situation after a scandal broke out, and it was only then that the ambassador submitted a request to cover the costs from personal funds.
Bullying Allegations
In addition to the allegations of misuse of embassy funds, Ambassador Bajarūnas has also been accused of bullying and abusing staff members. An investigation by the General Inspectorate of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs found violations and recommended that the suitability of the ambassador to lead the embassy be reassessed.
The ambassador has denied the allegations, claiming that he is the victim of psychological violence and defamation by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He has appealed to the Government, the Ministry of the Interior, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to conduct an independent investigation into the allegations.
Reaction from the President and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
President G.Nausėda has described the decision to summon Ambassador Bajarūnas to Vilnius for consultations as “half-hearted” and has expressed concerns about the situation. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has temporarily suspended the ambassador’s functions, pending further investigation and resolution of the situation.
Conclusion
The controversy surrounding Ambassador E.Bajarūnas has highlighted the importance of transparency and accountability in the management of embassy funds and the treatment of staff members. The Lithuanian government must take these allegations seriously and conduct a thorough investigation to determine the facts and take appropriate action. In the meantime, the ambassador’s functions have been suspended, and his future in the role remains uncertain.
Keyword list:
E.Bajarūnas
Lithuanian Ambassador
Embassy funds
Bullying allegations
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
President G.Nausėda
Government of Lithuania
* Transparency and accountability
What specific allegations have been made against Lithuanian Ambassador E.Bajarūnas regarding embassy funds?
Lithuanian Ambassador E.Bajarūnas Embroiled in Controversy Over Embassy Funds and Mobbing Allegations
The Lithuanian Ambassador to the United Kingdom, Sultanate of Oman, and Portugal, E.Bajarūnas, has found himself at the center of a brewing scandal involving the misuse of embassy funds and allegations of mobbing. The controversy surrounding the ambassador’s actions has led to his temporary suspension and an investigation into the claims.
Misuse of Embassy Funds
According to a letter from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, E.Bajarūnas used embassy funds to purchase tickets to a performance of “Phantom of the Opera” for President Gitanas Nausėda and his wife during their visit to London. The ambassador allegedly used the embassy’s credit card to buy the tickets, which was then approved by him in the income-expenditure report. However, it was only after the scandal broke out that he offered to reimburse the embassy from his own funds.
Mobbing Allegations
In addition to the controversy surrounding the misuse of embassy funds, E.Bajarūnas has also been accused of mobbing and abuse by his employees. An investigation by the General Inspectorate of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs found violations and recommended that action be taken to determine the ambassador’s suitability to lead the embassy.
Temporary Suspension and Investigation
As a result of the allegations, Minister of Foreign Affairs Gabrielius Landsbergis has signed an order temporarily suspending E.Bajarūnas from his duties as ambassador. The minister has also called for an investigation into the claims of mobbing and abuse, as well as the misuse of embassy funds.
Reactions and Fallout
President Gitanas Nausėda has expressed disappointment at the situation, calling the decision to summon E.Bajarūnas to Vilnius for consultations “half-hearted” and creating a flawed situation. E.Bajarūnas, on the other hand, has claimed that he is a victim of psychological violence from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and has appealed to the government for an independent investigation into the allegations.
Background and Context
This is not the first time that E.Bajarūnas has been embroiled in controversy. In the past, he has been criticized for his lavish spending and management style. The current scandal has raised questions about the accountability and transparency of Lithuania’s diplomatic corps, and the need for stronger measures to prevent the misuse of public funds.
Conclusion
The allegations against E.Bajarūnas have sparked a heated debate about the conduct of Lithuania’s diplomats and the need for greater accountability in the use of public funds. As the investigation into the claims continues, it remains to be seen what consequences the ambassador will face, and what reforms will be implemented to prevent similar scandals in the future.
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