Lithuanian prosecutor accuses former health vice-minister of causing major financial and non-financial damage to state

A Lithuanian prosecutor has stated that Lina Jaruševičienė, the former deputy health minister, caused “significant financial and non-financial damage” to the state through her actions in a COVID-19 rapid test procurement case, LRT reports.

Prosecutor Gintaras Plioplys, delivering his closing arguments in Vilnius District Court on Tuesday, argued that Jaruševičienė acted in the interests of the company Profarma despite evidence that its rapid tests were unsuitable for early COVID-19 diagnosis. He claimed she lacked objective data on the product’s price and suitability yet proceeded with the purchase.

The state paid over €4 million more than necessary for the tests, according to the prosecution. The tests, acquired from Profarma for more than €6 million, could have been obtained at a lower cost from alternative suppliers.

Plioplys alleged that Jaruševičienė imposed “unjustified and unlawful demands” on the National Public Health Surveillance Laboratory to push through the purchase, resulting in substantial harm to the state. The case, initiated in 2022, centers on accusations of abuse of office during her tenure as deputy health minister from 2018 to 2020.

Jaruševičienė denies the charges. An appeals court previously ruled that the state overpaid by several million euros and ordered compensation of over €4 million.