Special Investigation Service detains mayor of Kupiskis District

Lithuania's Special Investigation Service has on Tuesday detained Dainius Bardauskas, mayor of the country's northeastern district of Kupiskis, representing the Homeland Union – Lithuanian Christian Democrats, the SIS's spokeswoman Renata Endrusyte confirmed it to BNS Lithuania.

The SIS is carrying out a pre-trial investigation into alleged abuse of official position and influence peddling at Kupiskis District Municipality, and searched have been carried out at several locations today.

Bardauskas has been mayor of Kupiskis District since 2015, serving for a second term. BNS Lithuania has not managed to reach him by phone on Tuesday as his mobile phone is switched off.

Marius Malisauskas, director of administration at Kupiskis District Municipality, told BNS Lithuania today the law enforcement investigation might have to do with a festival that was organized by the local culture center on July 6.

BNS Lithuania has not managed to contract the culture center's director Jolita Janusoniene.

Law enforcement is set to provide more details on the investigation later in the day.