Prosecutor’s Office: The decision of the STT not to investigate possible corruption in the National Guard is justified

Sh. m. March 18 the Prosecutor General instructed the Special Investigations Service (hereinafter – STT) to clarify the factual circumstances and make a decision on the process regarding the former Minister of National Defense Arvydas Anušauskas on March 16. information published in the public space about possible illegal agreements or other possible cases of corruption in the national defense system in the course of public procurement, possible pressure on the employees of the ministry.

Also STT on March 19. was tasked with making a decision based on reports submitted to the General Prosecutor’s Office by the Seimas Anti-corruption Commission and the Democratic faction “On behalf of Lithuania” regarding similar circumstances.

During the clarification of the information, STT interviewed A. Anušauskas and other witnesses, received additional information from the Ministry of National Defense. After evaluating the collected data, it was established that no signs of criminal acts were found in the actions of Seimas member R. Lopata in submitting official letters to the ministry about the public procurement and the actions of a foreign company in inviting representatives of the Ministry of National Defense to meetings.

It was also assessed that lobbying actions and risks of corruption were responded to and managed properly in the Ministry of National Defense, so there was no reason to report them to the pre-trial investigation authorities.

This resolution does not prevent pre-trial investigation institutions or the prosecutor’s office from starting a pre-trial investigation after receiving specific information about possible corruption crimes.