Visvaldas Mažonas

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 policemen, 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]

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