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(Luxembourg, 22 May 2024) – Under the supervision of the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) in Vilnius (Lithuania), Lithuania’s Financial Crime Investigation Service (Finansinių nusikaltimų tyrimo tarnyba – FNTT) is investigating possible fraud and forgery in the procurement of night-vision devices for the Lithuanian State Border Guard Service, aimed at better protecting the EU’s external border with Belarus. Suspicions have been brought against four individuals and two companies.
In early 2022, the State Border Guard Service entered into a contract with two companies for the purchase of night-vision devices, following public procurement procedures. After the contract was signed, 234 units of the devices were delivered to the institution for a total price of approximately €1.2 million. This purchase was carried out as part of a project financed by the EU through its Internal Security Fund (ISF) for Emergency Assistance measures, with the aim of strengthening the Lithuanian border with Belarus.
The FNTT and the EPPO are conducting a pre-trial investigation into possible high-value procurement fraud, forgery of documents and unlawful use of a trademark. According to the evidence gathered, only one of the devices meets the technical requirements stated in the procurement procedure. The suppliers are suspected of forging and submitting documents to wrongfully declare the devices as being equipped with specialised electronic image intensifiers.
In order to gather as much data as possible, FNTT officers conducted 17 searches last week, from 14 to 16 May 2024. Four people were arrested and interrogated, 13 witnesses were interviewed and other necessary procedural steps were performed.
The pre-trial investigation is underway. Suspicions have now been brought against four individuals and two companies. One of the suspects remains in custody for one month, two must wear electronic tracking devices and coercive measures have been imposed against the fourth suspect.
If convicted, the court can impose maximum penalties of eight years of imprisonment for procurement fraud for high-value property, up to two years for the unlawful use of a trademark and up to three years for document forgery.
The EPPO is the independent public prosecution office of the European Union. It is responsible for investigating, prosecuting and bringing to judgment crimes against the financial interests of the EU.