Detained Lithuanian Businesswoman Rasa Žilevičė Breaks Silence, Cites Legal Battle and Embassy Disappointment

Lithuanian businesswoman Rasa Žilevičė, recently detained in France, has spoken out about her situation, which reportedly stems from real estate dealings in Northern Cyprus. This region, divided since 1974, presents complex legal and political challenges, particularly concerning property ownership.

After spending two days in custody, Žilevičė has been released but must surrender her documents and is prohibited from leaving France. She is currently working with a legal team to file a cassation appeal with the French Court of Cassation. "Humanly speaking, this stage requires immense emotional endurance, but I am not giving up," she stated, emphasizing her goal for an objective legal process based on irrefutable evidence rather than assumptions.

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Humanly speaking, this stage requires immense emotional endurance, but I am not giving up. My priority is to ensure the process finally becomes objective. Defense must be based on irrefutable evidence, not assumptions. The court must consider the complex geopolitical context of the parties and, of course, the overriding European Union law, which must guarantee a fair process for every citizen.

Žilevičė stressed the importance of the court considering the geopolitical context and overriding European Union law, which she believes guarantees a fair trial for all citizens. She also recounted reaching out to the Lithuanian Embassy in Paris for assistance with communication in French but expressed significant disappointment with the limited support received. "So far, my only contact with the Lithuanian Embassy has been a single phone call," she revealed, highlighting the critical need for state backing in such circumstances.

Despite her disappointment, Žilevičė aims for constructive cooperation and hopes Lithuanian institutions will actively defend her right to a fair and impartial process abroad. She reiterated that she has violated no laws in her business activities and believes that protecting a citizen's rights should be a top priority, regardless of the case's political sensitivity. The businesswoman is determined to ensure her defense is grounded in facts and adheres to the principles of justice.

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So far, my only contact with the Lithuanian Embassy has been a single phone call. I certainly do not hide my disappointment, because state backing is critically important for a person in such a situation. However, my goal is not to get into conflicts or look for culprits. I really want and hope for constructive cooperation. I sincerely hope that Lithuanian institutions will not stand aside and will principledly defend their country's citizen's right to a fair, impartial process abroad. No matter how politically sensitive the context of this case may be, the protection of its citizen's rights must remain the highest priority.