Lithuanian authorities launch probe into journalist impersonation and data collection by Gulbinas

Lithuanian prosecutors have opened a pre-trial investigation into Dainius Gulbinas, head of the public body Spaudos klubas (Press Club), over allegations of unlawfully gathering personal data under the guise of journalism, news portal 15min.lt reported Wednesday.

The Prosecutor General’s Office is examining whether Gulbinas, whose organisation was previously known as the Vilnius Magas NGO, illegally collected information on private individuals’ lives. Police have also launched a separate pre-trial investigation into his activities.

In March, the Journalists’ Ethics Inspectorate (ŽEIT) ruled that Spaudos klubas was not engaged in legitimate journalism but instead harvested data without legal grounds. The decision led the Centre of Registers to revoke the body’s access to state databases in February. According to 15min.lt, the organisation had exploited its media registration to obtain non-appealable state records between August 2024 and February 2026.

During that period, Gulbinas—now reportedly residing in Spain—allegedly retrieved data on over 100 companies and nearly 70 individuals, including entrepreneurs, e-payment firms, cryptocurrency businesses, and public figures. Targets named in the report include singer Justinas Jarutis, a shareholder in 15min.lt; activist Danielius Lupšicas; the Investigative Journalism Centre Siena; and journalists from 15min.lt, such as Jūratė Damulytė, Karolis Juršys, editor-in-chief Vaidotas Beniušis, and majority owner Tomas Balžekas, along with Balžekas’s spouse.

Following ŽEIT’s ruling, Spaudos klubas published what 15min.lt describes as “false content” targeting the ethics inspector Dainius Radzevičius, the portal’s journalists, and others. The organisation has since challenged both ŽEIT and the Centre of Registers in Panevėžys Regional Administrative Court, seeking to overturn their decisions. While the court rejected a request to suspend the rulings pending appeal, the case remains under review, with responses from the institutions due in May.

The Centre of Registers told 15min.lt it is consulting with the Ministry of Culture to tighten criteria for identifying legitimate publishers—particularly those lacking journalistic experience—to prevent misuse of privileged data access.