Lithuania’s anti-corruption agency finds no evidence of wrongdoing in State Forest Service

The Lithuanian Special Investigation Service (STT) has concluded it found no evidence of corruption within the State Forest Service after completing a preliminary review, LRT reports.

STT spokesperson Renata Keblienė confirmed the agency received a report from the State Forest Service in late November last year but determined there was no objective data to substantiate criminal activity.

“The collected information does not provide grounds to believe that any officials or equivalent personnel from the State Forest Service or other institutions may have committed corruption-related offences,” Keblienė stated.

As a result, the STT has no basis to initiate or decline a pre-trial investigation under the Criminal Procedure Code. However, Keblienė noted that if further fact-finding uncovers relevant data warranting criminal liability assessment, the agency will promptly decide on procedural action.

Earlier this week, State Forest Service director Mindaugas Tarnauskas told an emergency meeting of the Seimas Environmental Protection Committee that he had reported potential corruption in past forest inventory and data verification processes to the STT. The alleged irregularities involved 21 forest plots across Lithuania, primarily between 2021 and 2024.