Visvaldas Mažonas Explained

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).

Before plunging into politics, Mažonas held various jobs as a policeman, driver, security guard, and construction worker. 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".^[1] 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).^[2] Paksas did not immediately distance himself from Mažonas.^[3]

Mažonas is known for disorderly conduct, provocations, insulting speeches,^[4] threats to overthrow the government,^[5] and displaying stylized Nazi swastikas.^[6] He and his supporters often wear black uniforms.^{[7] [8]} During the trial of the suspected Holocaust perpetrator Algimantas Dailidė, Mažonas held signs supporting Dailidė.^[9] In another incident, he protested a monument to Danielius Dolskis, a Lithuanian Jew.^[10] Mažonas often collaborates with another extremist, Mindaugas Murza.^[11]

Notes and References

1. http://www.delfi.lt/archive/article.php?id=3565972 Ultraradikalas žada ir toliau ginti prezidentą
2. http://www.sekunde.lt/content.php?p=read&tid=16333 V. Mažonas pripažintas tik nusižengusiu, bet ne nusikaltusiu
3. http://www.delfi.lt/archive/article.php?id=3563094 R.Paksas nesiryžta aiškiai atsisakyti radikalų paramos
4. Web site: Dulkiant lietui Kaune tulžį liejo nacionalistai (video). Lrytas.lt. March 18, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20120223171346/http://www.lrytas.lt/-12221094401220120915-dulkiant-lietui-kaune-tul%C5%BE%C4%AF-liejo-nacionalistai-video.htm. February 23, 2012. dead. mdy-all.
5. http://www.lrytas.lt/?id=11826071821182325655&view=4 Laisvės alėjoje tulžį liejo M.Murzos šalininkai
6. http://www.delfi.lt/archive/article.php?id=21926485 Gegužės 1-ąją Šiauliuose plevėsavo vėliavos su nacių simbolika
7. http://www.delfi.lt/archive/article.php?id=17927048 Tremtinių sąskrydyje – incidentas dėl ultraradikalų
8. http://www.delfi.lt/archive/article.php?id=13136214 „Murzininkai“ rikiavosi prie Estijos ambasados
9. http://www.delfi.lt/archive/article.php?id=9141106 Už nusikaltimus žydams nuteistą A.M.Dailidę nuo kalėjimo išgelbėjo senatvė
10. https://web.archive.org/web/20110721175153/http://www.litjews.org/Default.aspx?Element=ViewArticle&ArticleID=1585&TopicID=12&Lang=EN Danielius Dolskis Has Returned to Kaunas
11. http://www.delfi.lt/archive/article.php?id=20224663 Kauno mitingas: apie 400 žmonių, 2 sulaikyti