Lithuania reports rise in probes into aiding foreign states against country

Pre-trial investigations into aiding foreign states in actions against Lithuania have increased, the Prosecutor General’s Office said in its annual report.

​“In 2021, we had one pre-trial investigation launched; last year, we started seven,” Prosecutor General Nida Grunskienė told reporters last week. ​ Grunskienė said she could not identify the specific reasons behind the increase. ​ According to data from the Prosecutor General’s Office, a total of 17 pre-trial investigations were conducted last year regarding aiding foreign states, espionage and terrorism-related crimes. Seven of these concerned aiding a foreign state to act against Lithuania. ​ In 2022, one such investigation was launched, while no such probes were opened in 2023. In 2024, two cases were initiated.

Last year, an investigation was launched into the threat to national security posed by smuggling balloons. This year, the Klaipėda Prosecutor’s Office opened a probe into disinformation regarding the so-called “Klaiėeda People’s Republic” and claims that the city and its port belong to Russia. ​ The Criminal Code provides for a prison sentence of 2 to 7 years for aiding a foreign state in acting against Lithuania, increasing to 10 years under aggravating circumstances.

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