Lithuanian court concludes trial of former defence chief Valdemaras Rupšys

A Vilnius court has completed hearings in the corruption trial of Lithuania’s former military commander Valdemaras Rupšys, with a verdict set to be delivered on 21 May, state broadcaster LRT reports.

Rupšys, accused of abuse of power, document forgery, and fraud, told the court he trusted in its fairness. Prosecutors have demanded a €20,000 fine and a five-year ban from public office.

A second defendant, military dentist Šarūnas Ratkus, faces parallel charges for allegedly falsifying medical records to help Rupšys secure state-funded dental implants. Prosecutors seek a €15,000 fine and a similar public-service ban. Ratkus denies wrongdoing, stating he acted in line with his professional oaths.

Prosecutor Stanislavas Barsulis argued the case involved a deliberate scheme to misuse state funds, undermining public trust in defence institutions. The trial centres on a 2022 incident where Rupšys claimed a dental injury during deployment—allegations prosecutors call fabricated, citing pre-existing records.

Barsulis emphasised the gravity of senior officials exploiting their positions, describing it as a “serious harm to the state” that erodes confidence in its security structures.