Ideology secretary of the pro-Moscow Lithuanian Communist Party who proclaimed the 'National Salvation Committee' in the Vilnius crackdown
On 13 January 1991, his recorded voice boomed from the loudspeakers of Soviet BMPs advancing on the Vilnius TV tower: 'Brother Lithuanians! The nationalist and separatist government, which confronted the people, has been overthrown!'
A farmer's son from southern Lithuania, Jermalavičius studied at Vilnius University and the Leningrad Higher Party School, then spent two decades as a researcher at the Party History Institute, publishing on atheism and religion. In 1990 he became ideology secretary of the pro-Moscow Lithuanian Communist Party (CPSU platform), fiercely opposing independence, and on 11 January 1991 he announced the creation of the 'National Salvation Committee of the Lithuanian SSR', which claimed to be the sole legitimate government, providing the political pretext for the Soviet military operation that killed 14 civilians two days later. Convicted in 1999 of anti-state organization and incitement to violently overthrow the government, he served eight years, then moved to Russia where he continued writing in defence of the Soviet system until his death.
Career Timeline
- 1962Joined the CPSU
- 1970–1990Researcher, Institute of Party History, CPL CC
- 1990–1991Head of Ideological Department, CC, CPL (CPSU platform)
- 1994–2002Imprisoned for anti-state activities (8-year sentence)
- 2002–2012Professor, RSSU; Deputy Chairman, UCP-CPSU Council
Related historical events
- 1988–1991The Nationalities Crisis and the Collapse of Central AuthorityIdeology secretary announcing National Salvation CommitteeOn 11 January 1991 he proclaimed the creation of the National Salvation Committee, which claimed to be the sole legitimate government of Lithuania, providing the political pretext for the Soviet military operation.
- 1987–1991The Baltic Independence Movement and the Baltic WayFounder of the National Salvation Committee, ideology secretary of the pro-Moscow CPLProclaimed the National Salvation Committee on 11 January 1991, giving political cover for the Soviet military operation; on 13 January his recorded voice announced from BMP loudspeakers that the 'separatist government has been overthrown.'