Concerned citizens can help to bring about a cleaner, fairer, corruption-free society by reporting acts of corruption, or suspected corruption, to the STT. The following guidelines are to help you decide whether you should make a report, how to go about it and what to expect if you do.
You can report cases of suspected corruption to STT at any time, 24-hour-a-day.
The Special Investigation Service of the Republic of Lithuania is the main agency responsible for the investigation of civil service offences. In most cases, the Criminal Code of the Republic of Lithuania defines these offences as bribery, abuse of office, and non-feasance.
Anyone who knows, or has reasonable suspicions, about corruption-related criminal acts committed, being committed, or intended to be committed, should contact the STT. Reports can be made by anyone, regardless of their citizenship, age, social status, or any other factor.
An internationally-recognised guideline for estimating whether corruption exists in a situation, is whether or not someone is accepting an advantage against others.
As soon as you suspect a person of wrongdoing involving corruption. Don’t delay – a successful investigation may depend on gathering evidence while the trail is still warm. Don’t try to investigate yourself – unless you are a trained investigator, you may taint the evidence and spoil the chances of successful investigation.
You can report a known corruption act to the SIS in the following ways:
When submitting information, it is important to specify: the specific facts of the violation; the person who is about to participate, is participating or has participated in the violation; whether the person has already reported the violation; if yes, who was notified and whether a reply was received; your full name, contact details.
The person shall, if possible, enclose written or other available data on the violation to the report.
You will usually need to provide your name and residential address, for future contact. Also, the name and position of the person whose actions you are reporting, along with a brief description of any other relevant information such as the name of any institution involved, the location and circumstances of the corruption-related acts and any other people who may be able to provide evidence or help to substantiate the case.
Occasionally, callers prefer to be anonymous, however, STT staff have a far greater chance of successfully following up reports if callers provide precise information not only about their concerns, but also identifying who they are. This also helps STT to check back with them as follow-up action develops.
No, don’t try to investigate by yourself – you may taint the evidence and spoil the chances of successful investigation. STT officers have the professional expertise to investigate cases of corruption. As the person making the report, it will be most helpful to the investigation if you can provide a clear and detailed account of your experience, or reasons for suspecting corruption, and can assist with follow-up questions.
However, if you have in your possession any documents or other evidence, then you should retain these and pass them over to the STT investigators.
On average, initial calls to STT’s telephone hotline – the most common means of contact – involve callers spending around 10-15 minutes to provide the details necessary to start an enquiry. Signed reports submitted in writing receive a written reply.
No. STT values all information provided in good faith, by any means, by citizens who are willing to help in the fight against corruption in their society.
STT staff members are highly experienced and sensitive to the identity concerns of anyone making a corruption report. If requested, they will ensure the confidentiality of all details and information provided to them.
Cases differ, but a typical case would involve the following procedures: statement(s); a pre-trial investigation; a trial; an appeal process.
The STT investigates all information it receives of alleged corruption. If, in the course of investigating a report, it is found that a person has been slandered or falsely accused of committing an offence, the person who made the report is liable to be charged with committing a criminal offence under Article 236 of the criminal Code of the Republic of Lithuania.
Budgetary institution, A. Jakšto g. 6, 01105 Vilnius
Phone +370 706 63 335
E-mail documents@stt.lt
Data is stored by the Register of Legal Entities
Code 188659948
