Kubilius: hasty dismissal of FNTT chiefs was a huge mistake

VILNIUS- Lithuanian Prime Minister Andrius Kubilius says that former Interior Minister of Raimundas Palaitis made a great mistake by dismissing chiefs of the Financial Crime Investigation Service (FNTT).

"I have always repeated the same: a hasty and groundless dismissal of the FNTT chiefs was, to my mind, a huge mistake done by former minister Raimundas Palaitis. I suggested him undoing this mistake. Well, now the court corrected the mistake at least partially," Kubilius said Wednesday after the Government's sitting.

The PM also said that the FNTT as an institution was not working bad and should continue the course in the future. Yet, Kubilius thinks that some reforms in the FNTT would be beneficial, especially those ensuring that well performing officials and chiefs would be safe from mistakes as made in the FNTT scandal.

"We have been planning a reform like this, but probably the current Seimas will not have time for it. However, all should learn from this story," Kubilius said.

As reported, on Sept. 25, Vilnius Regional Administrative Court ruled that former deputy director of the Financial Crime Investigation Service (FNTT) Vytautas Girzadas, who was dismissed this winter, has to be reinstated. He also was adjudged to 20,000 litas (5,800 euros) for non-material damage and 6,300 litas (1,800 euros) for his salary (counting from February 15 when he was removed from the post).

As reported, Tuesday Vilnius Regional Administrative Court ruled that former deputy director of the Financial Crime Investigation Service (FNTT) Vytautas Girzadas, who was dismissed this winter, has to be reinstated. He also was adjudged to 20,000 litas (5,800 euros) for non-material damage and 6,300 litas (1,800 euros) for his salary (counting from February 15 when he was removed from the post).