Lithuanian prosecutors decline probe into Probation Service chief over domestic allegations

The Vilnius District Prosecutor’s Office has upheld police findings that no criminal offence was committed by Romualdas Ostanavičius, director of Lithuania’s Probation Service, following allegations of domestic physical harm, the Prosecutor General’s Office announced on Tuesday.

An investigation by Vilnius police concluded there was no evidence to support claims that Ostanavičius had caused physical harm to a family member. Officers interviewed witnesses, examined the scene, and analysed all relevant data before determining no offence had occurred.

The decision not to launch a pre-trial investigation follows a Vilnius court ruling on April 10 that revoked a domestic violence protection order issued against Ostanavičius on April 5. Police had briefly searched for him on April 6 after reports he left home with a legally owned firearm following a family dispute. He later surrendered to authorities, and officers retrieved the weapon from his residence.

Ostanavičius has led the Probation Service since 2022. The prosecutor’s decision may be appealed.