Possible bribery of defence system representative linked to building renovation

LRT

A Lithuanian prosecutor has said that allegations of bribery involving a defence system employee are connected to the renovation of an administrative building in Kaunas.

The claim was made by Darius Valkavičius, prosecutor at the Organised Crime and Corruption Investigation Division of the Kaunas District Prosecutor’s Office, during an interview with ELTA.

According to Valkavičius, the allegations do not relate to military equipment or similar installations. He said the suspected bribe was offered in December 2025 to a person considered a public official, in connection with construction work carried out under a public procurement contract with the Ministry of National Defence worth more than €1.28 million.

Investigators allege that the bribe, valued at more than €3,000, was given by a shareholder and construction manager of a Vilnius-based company specialising in building renovation, UAB Versiculus, to secure favourable treatment in the evaluation of the company’s work. The company and its shareholder, Evaldas Gudynas, are named in the case.

The case began after an internal report submitted to the Ministry of National Defence in December 2025 flagged concerns that a defence system employee may have been offered a bribe. The employee reported the incident to military police, triggering an institutional response.

The case has been completed and transferred to the Kaunas District Court for trial. The whistleblower is listed as a witness in the criminal proceedings.

“High transparency standards are essential to maintain public trust in the defence system. This is a priority of this government term. This case shows that the defence system passed the corruption resistance test, and the employee’s actions should serve as an example to others. I urge all staff to act bravely and not tolerate any signs of corruption within the defence system,” said Robertas Kaunas, Minister of National Defence.

The ministry said it is working to create an anti-corruption environment, with a focus on raising awareness, education and training.

“This employee’s principled response to a suspected bribe offer is an example of personal intolerance to corruption and civic responsibility, and reflects the results of ongoing anti-corruption efforts within the defence system,” said Colonel Lieutenant Rimantas Raudeliūnas, head of the ministry’s Anti-Corruption and Investigations Division.

He noted that, to protect the pre-trial investigation, the ministry did not publicly disclose the suspected bribery case earlier.

Both defence system staff and the public are encouraged to report suspected corruption or wrongdoing through the ministry’s internal reporting channel at [email protected], including anonymously.