The Special Investigation Service (STT), as part of the Internal Security Fund (ISF)-funded project “Prevention and Detection of Corruption, Including Bribery in International Business Transactions”, organised a seminar in Vilnius entitled “International Practices in Preventing the Bribery of Foreign Public Officials”. The event brought together representatives of Lithuanian institutions and international experts to discuss practical challenges in detecting and investigating foreign bribery, cooperation between the public and private sectors, and international experience.
The seminar explored how different institutions can improve information sharing and cooperation in identifying potential cases of bribery of foreign public officials. Particular attention was paid to the roles of tax authorities, financial crime investigation bodies, auditors and financial service providers in these processes.
Experts from the Anti-Corruption Centre (ACC) of the Netherlands Fiscal Information and Investigation Service (FIOD), Desirée van der Hoorn and Albert Jan Kwakman, shared their international experience. They presented a practical case study of a foreign bribery investigation and discussed the importance of international cooperation and the role of financial service providers, including accountants and auditors, in investigating such offences.
A separate session focused on good practices developed by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and other countries. An STT representative presented approaches to voluntary self-reporting by legal entities and the use of settlements, the effectiveness of sanctions, corporate liability, the integration of financial and asset investigations, and the coordination of actions both nationally and with international partners.
A significant part of the event was dedicated to practical discussions. Heads of institutions and other seminar participants examined the main challenges encountered in detecting and investigating foreign bribery. The concluding discussion focused on identifying ways to address these challenges and exploring opportunities for further interinstitutional cooperation to strengthen the prevention, detection and investigation of foreign bribery. The discussions were moderated by journalist and Žinių Radijas radio host Aurimas Perednis.
The seminar continued the dialogue initiated by STT on corruption and bribery risks in international business transactions. An event held in September focused primarily on business resilience to corruption, corporate internal control and compliance systems, and risk management in foreign markets. This time, the focus shifted to another key aspect: how to recognise potential cases of foreign bribery at the earliest possible stage, detect them and investigate them effectively by drawing on the expertise of different institutions and strengthening international cooperation.
The detection and investigation of foreign bribery require close cooperation between institutions. In Lithuania, such cooperation is formalised through an interinstitutional cooperation agreement signed by STT, the Prosecutor General's Office, the Customs Department, the Financial Crime Investigation Service, the State Tax Inspectorate, the Police Department, the Lithuanian Criminal Police Bureau and the Public Procurement Office. The agreement aims to ensure more active information sharing and better coordination of actions so that potential cases of bribery of foreign public officials can be detected as early as possible and investigated effectively. Under the agreement, information on suspected offences of this nature is submitted to STT, which is the main institution responsible for investigating foreign bribery in Lithuania.
The seminar was organised as part of the Internal Security Fund-funded project “Prevention and Detection of Corruption, Including Bribery in International Business Transactions” (VSF/2023/331).
This seminar marks the completion of the phase of the Internal Security Fund (ISF) project dedicated to learning from international good practices and strengthening interinstitutional cooperation in the prevention, detection and investigation of foreign bribery.
As part of the project, 10 study visits to institutions in foreign countries and eight seminars in Lithuania were organised. An anti-corruption education resource for teachers, entitled “Transparency Badge” (Skaidrumo ženklelis), was also developed.
The project was funded under the Internal Security Fund Programme 2021–2027.
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