STT finds no evidence of bid to influence defence procurement

Lithuania’s Special Investigation Service (STT) found no evidence that the association Universal Defence sought to secure improper advantages in defence procurement, LRT reported.

The STT said it had found no information that the association’s donors or members had received or sought preferential terms in public procurement by the national defence system, or had engaged in unlawful influence or other illegal activity.

The investigation followed a complaint from the opposition Nemunas Dawn party about alleged pressure by the association on politicians. The Prosecutor General’s Office referred the complaint to the STT, which forwarded information about possible lobbying to the Chief Official Ethics Commission (VTEK).

Nemunas Dawn leader Remigijus Žemaitaitis also contacted the State Security Department (VSD), which said it would assess the information about the association and any possible impact on national security within its remit. The department said matters involving lobbying, public and private interests, and official ethics fell outside its responsibilities and referred that part of the complaint to VTEK.

VTEK chair Jolanta Bernotaitė told BNS that the commission had received the reports. It decided not to open an investigation based on the VSD referral because of insufficient factual information, while information forwarded by the STT is due to be considered at an upcoming meeting.

Nemunas Dawn representatives began raising questions about the association’s activities in September. Žemaitaitis then alleged that Lithuanian businesspeople who had established a public institution were threatening to pressure politicians and the military to adopt their recommendations or proposals. Association head Tomas Godliauskas rejected allegations of opaque activity, saying its main aim was to strengthen public resilience.