PSS head Pocius sacked in Lithuania

VILNIUS – General Ricardas Pocius, commander of Lithuania's Public Security Service, has been dismissed from the internal service, the Interior Ministry said on Tuesday.

Pocius will leave on October 20 under a mutual agreement following the general's request.

Speaking with BNS, Pocius stressed that he's being dismissed by the government, not by the ministry, refraining to further comment on the situation.

The ministry, however, states it sets the same requirements for all heads of statutory services.

"The PSS and all other statutory services have a special role in times of emergency and have national security tasks that require the coordination of action, listening and having trust. All heads of services are subject to the same requirements of constant readiness, availability and exchange of information. The involvement of all services responsible for public security, without any exception, is key for making important decisions on officers' readiness, equipment and threat management," the ministry underlined.

The PSS heads is appointed and dismissed by the government upon the interior minister's nomination.

In June, Pocius was reprimanded for official misconduct. The Interior Minister claimed at the time he breached the strictly regulated subordination within the statutory service and failed to comply with the management's instructions, set a negative example for the institution's employees and the heads of other statutory institutions.

The PSS chief vowed to appeal against his reprimand.

Pocius has led the PSS since 2015. Before that, he served within the army and law enforcement system.