Special Investigation Service of the Republic of Lithuania
Encyclopedia
The Special Investigation Service of the Republic of Lithuania (commonly called STT; ) is a law enforcement institution in Lithuania
serving under the Seimas
and the President of Lithuania to combat corruption
. With departments in Kaunas
, Klaipėda
, Šiauliai
and Panevėžys
, it works to prevent corruption through education and investigates corruption where it exists. Since 2007, the director, appointed by a presidential decree, has been Žimantas Pacevičius.
, the Lithuanian government determined in 1997 to establish a special, separate organization for addressing the problem. The STT was accordingly established and for its first several years was overseen by the Ministry of the Interior. In May 2000, it came under the direct oversight of the presidency and Seimas. Since then, Lithuania has strengthened anti-corruption laws to enable the STT to better serve its purpose.
Lithuania
Lithuania , officially the Republic of Lithuania is a country in Northern Europe, the biggest of the three Baltic states. It is situated along the southeastern shore of the Baltic Sea, whereby to the west lie Sweden and Denmark...
serving under the Seimas
Seimas
The Seimas is the unicameral Lithuanian parliament. It has 141 members that are elected for a four-year term. About half of the members of this legislative body are elected in individual constituencies , and the other half are elected by nationwide vote according to proportional representation...
and the President of Lithuania to combat corruption
Political corruption
Political corruption is the use of legislated powers by government officials for illegitimate private gain. Misuse of government power for other purposes, such as repression of political opponents and general police brutality, is not considered political corruption. Neither are illegal acts by...
. With departments in Kaunas
Kaunas
Kaunas is the second-largest city in Lithuania and has historically been a leading centre of Lithuanian economic, academic, and cultural life. Kaunas was the biggest city and the center of a powiat in Trakai Voivodeship of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania since 1413. During Russian Empire occupation...
, Klaipėda
Klaipeda
Klaipėda is a city in Lithuania situated at the mouth of the Nemunas River where it flows into the Baltic Sea. It is the third largest city in Lithuania and the capital of Klaipėda County....
, Šiauliai
Šiauliai
Šiauliai , is the fourth largest city in Lithuania, with a population of 133,900. It is the capital of Šiauliai County. Unofficially, the city is the capital of Northern Lithuania.-Names:...
and Panevėžys
Panevežys
Panevėžys see also other names, is the fifth largest city in Lithuania. As of 2008, it occupied 50 square kilometers with 113,653 inhabitants. The largest multifunctional arena in Panevėžys is the Cido Arena...
, it works to prevent corruption through education and investigates corruption where it exists. Since 2007, the director, appointed by a presidential decree, has been Žimantas Pacevičius.
History
With growing awareness of corruption in Lithuania after the 1990 Act of the Re-Establishment of the State of LithuaniaAct of the Re-Establishment of the State of Lithuania
The Act of the Re-Establishment of the State of Lithuania or Act of March 11 was an independence declaration by the Lithuanian Soviet Socialist Republic adopted on March 11, 1990...
, the Lithuanian government determined in 1997 to establish a special, separate organization for addressing the problem. The STT was accordingly established and for its first several years was overseen by the Ministry of the Interior. In May 2000, it came under the direct oversight of the presidency and Seimas. Since then, Lithuania has strengthened anti-corruption laws to enable the STT to better serve its purpose.