EU – Baltic States, Investments, Lithuania, Markets and Companies, Retail

The participation of the world-class musician in Lithuanian business has been revealed by Paradise Papers – an international survey conducted based on the data received by German publication Suddeutsche Zeitung, with the international team of journalists coordinated by the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ) .

Bono's spokeswoman Kathy McKiernan confirmed that Paul David Hewson ( Bono's true name) had been a passive shareholder at the Nude Estates I, a Guernsey company that operates a 3,700-square-meter supermarket Ausra in Utena. Up until 2012, the supermarket was owned by a Malta company Nude Estates 2, which later sold its Lithuanian operations to the Guernsey-registered company.

Based on initial analysis of the Bono investment in Utena, the Lithuanian State Tax Inspectorate took control measures with regard to the Lithuanian company Nude Estates 2 that operates the supermarket.

"With regard to the company, the State Tax Inspectorate is currently conducting control procedures, therefore, there will be no further comment on the situation until they are completed and the results are in effect," said Ruta Asadauskaite, spokeswoman for the tax inspectorate.