The Special Investigation Service of the Republic of Lithuania performs three main functions: corruption investigation, corruption prevention and anti-corruption investigation. In fact, it is a universal independent anti-corruption body. Saulius Urbanavičius, the Head of Lithuania’s STT believes that this is the best method to combat corruption.
On 29 December 2016, the delegation of Special Investigation Service of the Republic of Lithuania led by Saulius Urbanavičius, the Head of Lithuania’s STT arrived in Armenia on the invitation of the Head of the Special Investigation Service of RA, Doctor of Law, Lieutenant-General of Justice, Honored Lawyer of RA Vahram Shahinyan, Today the delegation had a tour in the administrative building of the RA Special Investigative Service were familiarized with the working conditions of SIS officers.
In addition there was a discussion with participation of the Head of the Special Investigation Service of RA, Lieutenant-General of Justice Vahram Shahinyan, the Deputy Head of the Special Investigation Service of RA, Major-General of Justice Mushegh Babayan, Deputy Minister of Justice Suren Krmoyan and members of the Armenian Lawyers’ Association
In his opening speech Vahram Shahinian presented the experience of Lithuania, noting that in this country the SIS performs three functions.
The Head of Lithuania’s STT said that hat 60 percent of the resources are directed to realization of the investigative functions. However, before revealing the crimes they are taking steps aimed at the prevention of corruption occurrences. A Committee, which is chaired by the Minister of Justice and the Head of STT has been established with involvement of the representatives of different departments of the country. The Committee develops anti-corruption programs for the next 10 years
“Ten years ago, when we were developing programs, some provisions seemed quite complicated and impossible to realize. But today we see that everything is done. Currently we have developed a new program, to be implemented by 2026. Our service undertook the organizational, implementation and reporting activities of this program,” Mr. Urbanavičius said.
In addition to the development of programs the Lithuanian Special Investigation Service is also responsible for inspection of the persons that the state institutions are employing. Around 6 thousand inspections are carried out annually. “We have the Law on Prevention of Corruption of the Republic of Lithuania, and one of its articles provides that we are obliged to conduct inspections,” the STT Head stressed.
Representatives of the Armenian Lawyers’ Association Mariam Zadoyan and Marat Atovmyan asked different questions related to investigative service functions, staff and distribution of the resources of Lithuanian Special Investigation Service, as well as about the fight against corruption. A constructive and effective discussion took place.
Notably, yesterday the RA President Serzh Sargsyan received the he Head of the Special Investigation Service of the Republic of Lithuania Saulius Urbanavičius as well.
Gevorg Tosunyan
Aleksander Sargsyan
