This was done upon satisfying the defendant’s request.
The preventive measure for G. Mankutė was imposed by the decision of the European Prosecutor’s Office European Delegated Prosecutor Darius Karčinskas on June 20, 2024.
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The decision can be appealed to the Vilnius Regional Court.
The trial in the case where charges were brought against the director of the company “Gerdista” G. Mankutė, racer Benediktas Vanagas, and his institution “National Automobile Club” is nearing its end. Closing arguments are expected to begin at the hearing next week.
The prosecution accuses B. Vanagas and G. Mankutė of fraudulently obtaining 154 thousand euros of EU funding.
According to the European Prosecutor’s Office, the EU-funded project worth 154 thousand euros was supposed to provide mobile car repair and maintenance services in rural areas, but in fact, the funds were used for private purposes, including participation in the Dakar Rally. B. Vanagas’s public institution allegedly obtained the European funding through the intermediary company “Gerdista”.
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The amount of 154 thousand euros from the EU fund was granted under the 2014–2020 Lithuanian Rural Development Program.
During the pre-trial investigation conducted by the European Prosecutor’s Office together with the Financial Crime Investigation Service, the EU funds were returned.
