Special Investigation Service of the Republic of Lithuania (STT), continues the pre-trial investigation on corruption offenses at the „National Blood Center“ and is investigating alledged bribery of foreign officials. In order to collect information relevant for the investigation, acts of investigative measures were conducted last week in Latvia.
Pre-trial investigation data provide a reasonable suspicion that the Director of Public organization "National Blood Center" with the representatives of private company, which specializes in collection of medicinal raw materials, production, preparation and distribution of pharmaceutical products, acted in an organised group, in order to restrain or monopolise blood plasma collection not only in Lithuania, but also in Latvia.
„Participating in the activities of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Working Group on Bribery in International Business Transactions, we responsibly pay attention to detect corruption offences not only in Lithuania, but also investigate foreign bribery cases. So corruption does not have any borders and corrupted individuals or legal persons can not expect impunity both in Lithuania and abroad“, – says STT Director Žydrūnas Bartkus.
Under this investigation, at the moment, 3 persons are suspected of having committed a criminal offence. The Director of Public organization "National Blood Center" is suspected of abuse of power, trade in influence, and acting in a organised group engaging in large-scale commercial and professional activities without a license. The 2 other individuals are suspected of aiding and abetting abuse of power, trade in influence, engaging commercial and professional activities without a license.
