A pre-trial investigation was initiated after the State Security Department of the Republic of Lithuania (VSD), while conducting an intelligence investigation, received information about a person who was possibly collecting information acting according to methods applied by the intelligence and security services of the Russian Federation (RF ISS).
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Initial intelligence investigation data allowed for a reasonable suspicion that a citizen of the Republic of Lithuania, using the messaging application “Telegram”, initiated contact himself and is carrying out tasks received through intermediaries from the RF ISS – collecting information about military objects in Lithuania, military equipment units and their movement.
During court-sanctioned actions, data was obtained indicating that the suspect possibly photographed and provided information about a Lithuanian army battalion, a company manufacturing military radar and radiolocation systems, the movement of military equipment at Vilnius Airport, and also transmitted information with images of military equipment and offered to provide such information while visiting Belgium.
The data contained in the pre-trial investigation material suggests that the suspect acted purposefully to assist another state and understood that he was transmitting the collected information to a person possibly representing the Russian Ministry of Defense.
Article 119 of the Criminal Code, “Espionage”, Part 2, stipulates that whoever, carrying out a task of another state, its organization or their representative, stole, bought or otherwise collected or transmitted information that is a state or service secret of the Republic of Lithuania, or other information of interest to foreign intelligence, shall be punished by imprisonment from six to fifteen years.
The VSD warns against succumbing to provocations and getting involved in malicious activities of foreign states against Lithuania and reminds that Russian and Belarusian intelligence services actively use social networks to search for potential agents, recruit them, and maintain contact with them.
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If you have doubts that you may have encountered attempts to recruit or suspect that you or your organization is being spied on by hostile states’ intelligence services, the VSD urges citizens to inform Lithuanian intelligence. VSD employees will help assess the situation and potential threats. Timely provided information prevents recruitment, attempts to manipulate or blackmail Lithuanian citizens.
Individuals already involved in the activities of Russian or Belarusian intelligence services or who have received offers to cooperate are invited to voluntarily contact the State Security Department and take advantage of the opportunity provided by the laws of the Republic of Lithuania to be exempt from criminal liability.
If you encounter intelligence services abroad, you can immediately contact the nearest Lithuanian diplomatic mission or, upon returning to Lithuania, contact the VSD.
You can contact the VSD via the Trust Line phone +370 700 70 007 or by email pranesk@vsd.lt.
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