The STT carries out searches at the State Service for Plant Production. They are also reported in the Service's departments

The Special Investigation Service (STT) is conducting a pre-trial investigation into possible criminal acts of a corrupt nature related to the State Crop Production Service under the Ministry of Agriculture (SPS).

„We confirm that the STT is conducting a pre-trial investigation into possible criminal offences of a corrupt nature committed in connection with the State Crop Production Service under the Ministry of Agriculture“, – head of the STT's Communications Department Renata Keblienė told Agrobitei“ on Friday evening. She said that no further details are being provided at the moment in order not to jeopardise the progress of the investigation.

„As soon as it no longer threatens active proceedings, the public will be informed“, – added R. Keblienė.

The pre-trial investigation is under the control and direction of prosecutors from the Organised Crime and Corruption Investigation Department of the Prosecutor General's Office.

According to the sources available to „Agrobite“, the searches may have been carried out not only in the central headquarters of the VAT in Vilnius, but also in Kaunas and Alytus territorial units. This information was neither confirmed nor denied by the representative of the STT, who stressed that no further details were being made public in the course of the pre-trial investigation.

R. Keblienė also did not comment on whether the head of the VAT, Yuri Kornijenko, has the status of a special witness. Such an assumption has been raised by „Agrobite“ sources, but they themselves are not sure about its validity. It is not possible to verify this information officially at this time.

Kornijenko, who heads the State Service for Plant Breeding, has previously worked in various structures of the Ministry of Agriculture, as Chancellor of the Ministry and as Head of the Corruption Prevention and Internal Investigation Unit.

According to unofficial sources, the current pre-trial investigation may be linked to business structures involved in the re-export of flowers, fruit and vegetables to Belarus and Russia. These goods are exempted from international sanctions due to the war in Ukraine. The State Service for Plant Production reportedly issues dozens of certificates for such re-exports on a daily basis.

In investigations of this kind, the head of the authority is normally suspended from his/her duties and his/her functions are taken over by a temporarily appointed head.

The Ministry of Agriculture is assigned to the party „Nemuno aušra“ according to the coalition agreement concluded in the Seimas.