Visvaldas Marijus Mažonas (born August 25, 1941, in Šiauliai) is a controversial figure of the radical right-wing political movement in Lithuania. He was a leader of a branch of the Lithuanian Patriotic Union (Lietuvos patriotų sąjunga) in Kaunas and participated in the 2004 election to the Seimas (Lithuanian Parliament). [1]
Before plunging into politics, Mažonas held various jobs as a policeman, driver, security guard, and construction worker. [1] He entered the political scene after the impeachment of Rolandas Paksas, former President of Lithuania. During the impeachment, Mažonas supported Paksas, attended various protest meetings, and vowed to "maintain order". [2] During one incident, when he attempted to "keep order", Mažonas hit a high school student, who opposed Paksas. The event attracted media attention and Mažonas faced criminal charges (eventually reduced to misdemeanor). [3] Paksas did not immediately distance himself from Mažonas. [4]
Mažonas is known for disorderly conduct, provocations, insulting speeches, [5] threats to overthrow the government, [6] and displaying stylized Nazi swastikas. [7] He and his supporters often wear black uniforms. [8] [9] During the trial of the suspected Holocaust perpetrator Algimantas Dailidė, Mažonas held signs supporting Dailidė. [10] In another incident, he protested a monument to Danielius Dolskis, a Lithuanian Jew. [11] Mažonas often collaborates with another extremist, Mindaugas Murza. [12]
Visvaldas Marijus Mažonas (born August 25, 1941, in Šiauliai) is a controversial figure of the radical right-wing political movement in Lithuania. He was a leader of a branch of the Lithuanian Patriotic Union (Lietuvos patriotų sąjunga) in Kaunas and participated in the 2004 election to the Seimas (Lithuanian Parliament). [1]
Before plunging into politics, Mažonas held various jobs as a policeman, driver, security guard, and construction worker. [1] He entered the political scene after the impeachment of Rolandas Paksas, former President of Lithuania. During the impeachment, Mažonas supported Paksas, attended various protest meetings, and vowed to "maintain order". [2] During one incident, when he attempted to "keep order", Mažonas hit a high school student, who opposed Paksas. The event attracted media attention and Mažonas faced criminal charges (eventually reduced to misdemeanor). [3] Paksas did not immediately distance himself from Mažonas. [4]
Mažonas is known for disorderly conduct, provocations, insulting speeches, [5] threats to overthrow the government, [6] and displaying stylized Nazi swastikas. [7] He and his supporters often wear black uniforms. [8] [9] During the trial of the suspected Holocaust perpetrator Algimantas Dailidė, Mažonas held signs supporting Dailidė. [10] In another incident, he protested a monument to Danielius Dolskis, a Lithuanian Jew. [11] Mažonas often collaborates with another extremist, Mindaugas Murza. [12]