LRT English Newsletter – June 7, 2024.
And the deal is done – Rheinmetall, the German defence giant, will invest 180 million euros to build a munitions factory in western Lithuania. This means that Vilnius will have access to the coveted 155mm artillery shells that are much in demand amid Russia’s Ukraine invasion.
There are still questions, however. According to Aleksandras Matonis, a prominent defence journalist in Lithuania, “it remains unclear what Lithuania will have to contribute, the model of management [of the plant], and the distribution of production”.
In other defence news, Lithuania’s paramilitary force, the Riflemen’s Union, will receive 1.5 million euros to buy 100 drones, while Brigadier General Raimundas Vaikšnoras will most likely replace Valdemaras Rupšys as the chief of defence after his term expires in July.
MIGRATION UPDATE
Lithuania revoked some 1,500 residence permits in May. Almost all of the cases were due to employment contract reasons, but 12 people were sent out due to threats to state security or public order, according to the Migration Department.
Meanwhile, a Tajik opposition figure, who was detained in April over alleged links with terror groups, was released and will no longer face extradition to the authoritarian Central Asian country. A similar incident took place in 2015 in Finland, where he was detained at the request of Tajik authorities before being released.
NAUSĖDA WHISTLEBLOWER CASE
The story surrounding Lithuania’s intelligence service, the VSD, and the country’s incumbent president has reached another milestone. On Wednesday, the parliament voted in favour of the Seimas commission’s findings that Gitanas Nausėda broke his oath by refusing to answer questions from the parliament.
The overall story is complicated and began with Nausėda allegedly handing over a list of names to be checked by the VSD when he first ran for president in 2019. Read more about it here.
OPPOSITION SPIED UPON?
It turns out a Russian journalist and a Belarusian opposition member in Vilnius were potentially spied upon using the infamous Pegasus software. If you recall, there were reported cases of its use by state actors in over 40 countries, including EU member states. There is also an ongoing scandal in Poland where Warsaw under the previous government was found to have targeted journalists.
So who’s to blame for the hacking attacks that potentially took place in Vilnius? Authors of the report say it’s unlikely the Russian, Belarusian, or Lithuanian authorities were to blame. But Latvia had used the Israeli tech before, while Estonia has also used it to target people abroad. Meanwhile, the response to LRT.lt from Lithuania’s Defence Ministry, which also oversees the country’s Cyber Security Centre, was brief: “there will be no comments regarding this topic.” Read the full story here.
SMUGGLER SHOT DEAD
A cigarette smuggler was shot dead by a border guard when he attempted to flee from officers. The authorities have now launched an investigation after the border guard fired one shot at the vehicle, allegedly aiming for the tyres, but hit the person instead, killing him on the spot. The officer has not been accused of any wrongdoing.
EDITOR’S PICKS
– Here’s what you should know if you’re planning to vote in the European Parliament election on Sunday.
– War fears are still affecting tourism to Lithuania.
– Latvia has started building the first fortifications on its border.
– Ever wondered what Russian propaganda says about the Baltic states?
– Parts of Ukraine could be admitted into NATO now, according to one Atlantic Council expert.
– Three Lithuanian universities have moved up in the world rankings.
– Rita Ora concert will cost Vilnius over 400,000 euros.
– Here are the top 10 unique locations for you to visit in Lithuania.
– And here are also 12 interesting camping spots.
– Baltic Pride is coming to Vilnius this weekend.
– And here’s a short story about Little Lithuania in London.
Written by Benas Gerdžiūnas
Edited by Ieva Žvinakytė
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