Authorities continue investigations into Taiklu’s army contracts

Lithuanian law enforcement is continuing an investigation into contracts won by Kaunas-based company Taiklu for work at the Rūdninkai military training ground, LRT reported. The inquiry covers stump-grinding services, while investigators are also examining a separate contract for demining work.

The General Prosecutor’s Office said the investigation into possible offences during the stump-grinding work was still under way, with planned investigative actions continuing. It also confirmed that investigators are examining the purchase of demining services from Taiklu. The Lithuanian Military Police opened the stump-grinding investigation in March last year; prosecutors said it concerns possible document forgery and failure to perform official duties.

Taiklu said last November that it had completed all essential work before encountering previously undisclosed obstacles, including wetlands and logs left underground after logging. The company said geological conditions prevented it from grinding to a greater depth, but that this did not hinder the training ground’s expansion or infrastructure development.

In April, the Seimas Audit Committee asked prosecutors to investigate the demining contract after reviewing an assessment by the Public Procurement Office. Committee members raised concerns about an unusually low bid, changes to contract deadlines that they said should have led to a new procurement, and different selection criteria for suppliers in an unannounced negotiation process. They alleged that Taiklu had been included on a different basis from other participants.

This week, the Public Procurement Office presented findings on another Taiklu contract, for portable tetrahedrons known as “dragon’s teeth”. It found three categories of violations by the Lithuanian army’s Logistics Command: technical specification requirements, checks on an unusually low price, and transparency during contract execution. As the contract has been completed, the office said it would limit itself to classifying the violations, with responsibility for individuals to be considered.

Deputy Defence Minister Gabrielius Gorbačevskis said the army had begun an internal investigation into the decisions and possible responsibility. He disputed that Taiklu’s bid should have been rejected and said the state had suffered no financial damage. The Audit Committee approved the Public Procurement Office’s findings and decided to refer the matter to prosecutors. The General Prosecutor’s Office said it had not yet received information about the “dragon’s teeth” procurement.