State Tax Inspectorate

The Lithuanian parliament's Committee on National Security and Defense (NSGK) completed on Wednesday its investigation into business and interest groups' influence on political processes and decision-makers.

MG Baltic, one of Lithuania's largest business group, on Wednesday asked a court to declare as untrue certain information provided by the State Security Department (VSD) in a report to lawmakers.

MG Baltic President Darius Mockus says that the business group has become the target of people who want to rule the state by using "extinct regimes' methods".

Journalist Tomas Dapkus, as a middleman for the top executives of MG Baltic, one of Lithuania's biggest business groups, was allegedly involved in activities bearing the signs of blackmail, the State Security Department (VSD) said in a document.

The chairman of the Lithuanian parliament's Committee on National Security and Defense (NSGK) confirmed on Monday that the panel, which is conducting a probe into interest groups' unlawful influence on politicians, has received a part of declassified information from security services.

Lithuania's President Dalia Grybauskaitė says that "all shadows" concerning the performance of the Central Electoral Commission (VRK) have to be eliminated.

Lithuania's Parliamentary Speaker Viktoras Pranckietis of the ruling Farmers and Greens Union (LFGU) sees no reasons for the head of the Central Electoral Commission, Laura Matjošaitytė, to resign, adding she "is working properly."

Laura Matjošaitytė, chairwoman of the Lithuanian Central Electoral Commission, or VRK, and other members of the election body must dispel doubts about the transparency of their decisions, President Dalia Grybauskaitė said on Thursday.

The Lithuanian National Security Commission, headed by the prime minister, on Wednesday decided to set up a closed communication network for the key state institutions.

The Lithuanian State Tax Inspectorate, or VMI, has taken administrative action against producer and journalist Edmundas Jakilaitis following an inquiry by Agnė Širinskienė, a lawmaker of the ruling Lithuanian Farmers and Greens Union (LFGU).

Bono, the leader of the Irish rock band U2, has announced plans to give up his investment in a supermarket in Lithuania.

Lithuanian Prime Minister Saulius Skvernelis says that this year's drastic increase in excise duties on alcoholic drinks has produced the expected results as alcohol consumption has fallen, but the state has not lost tax revenue.