Arrest warrants sought for 18 suspects in Lithuanian judicial corruption probe

VILNIUS - Lithuanian prosecutors have requested arrest warrants for 18 suspects in a large-scale judicial system corruption probe.  

"Until now, the court has been requested (to issue arrest warrants) for 18 suspects," Renata Endruzyte, spokeswoman for the Special Investigation Service (STT)," told BNS on Thursday.

She confirmed that a two-month arrest of one of the suspects had already been sanctioned. 

Lawyer Marius Navickas was among the first suspects brought to court on Thursday morning. 

According to media reports, Rolandas Vasiliauskas, CEO of the residential and administrative project development firm Indema, and Aivaras Surblys, another lawyer, were among those brought to court on Wednesday. 

The list of suspects also includes Judges Viktoras Kazys, Konstantinas Gurinas and Valdimaras Bavejanas of the Lithuanian Court of Appeals, Judge Egidijus Lauzikas of the Lithuanian Supreme Court, Judge Henrichas Jaglinskis of the Vilnius Regional Court, Judge Arunas Kaminskas of the Vilnius Regional Administrative Court, Judge Gintaras Cekanauskas of the Chamber of Kaunas of the Regional Administrative Court of Regions, and Judge Robertas Rainys of the Vilnius City District Court.  

Law-enforcement bodies said a total of 26 individuals were detained on Wednesday as part of the probe. 

Zydrunas Bartkus, head of the anti-corruption agency STT, said the number of suspects might still increase. 

Prosecutors say bribes ranged between 1,000 and 100,000 euros, reaching around 400,000 euros in total.