Prosecutor to propose sentence for Valdemaras Rupšys in alleged illegal dental implants case

A prosecutor will propose a sentence for Lithuania’s former military chief Valdemaras Rupšys in a Vilniaus Regional Court hearing on Wednesday, as closing arguments begin in a case involving allegedly unlawful dental implants, LRT reports.

Rupšys, who led Lithuania’s armed forces from 2019 to 2024, faces charges of abuse of office, document forgery, and fraud after allegedly receiving nearly €4,000 worth of dental implants paid for by the military. Prosecutors argue that while Rupšys suffered dental trauma during a 2022 work trip to Germany, the injury was not directly service-related, disqualifying it from state-funded treatment.

Rupšys has previously stated that the procedure was covered by defence budget funds after the incident was recognised as work-related. The case also involves Šarūnas Ratkus, a former deputy head of the Military Medical Service, who is charged with abuse of office, forgery, and aiding fraud.

The evidence phase concluded on March 18, with prosecutors now set to present their sentencing recommendations.