The Seimas Committee on National Security and Defence (NSGK) on Friday raised concerns about the legality of the recent dismissal of Col. Elegijus Paulavičius, head of Lithuania’s military intelligence service, and requested all related documentation from the Ministry of Defence.
“What we see are procedural violations – possibly even legal ones – with little regard for the provisions of the law,” said NSGK Chairman Giedrimas Jeglinskas following the committee’s closed-door meeting. “The minister is in a difficult position.”
The committee will ask the ministry to provide copies of all documents related to the case, including when the investigation into Paulavičius began and whether he was formally informed, Jeglinskas said. The Intelligence Ombudsperson’s Office will also be involved in the review.
“This situation is already damaging to military intelligence and counterintelligence,” he added.
Defense Minister Dovilė Šakalienė transferred Paulavičius to a temporary personnel reserve on Wednesday, though his term was set to end in mid-August. She told reporters Thursday that the move was prompted by “serious misconduct” and that Paulavičius could not continue in his post while under investigation over his treatment of subordinates.
Paulavičius, however, told BNS he was not informed of any misconduct allegations or investigation prior to his dismissal.
Dismissal could be reversed
According to Jeglinskas, the minister’s order may be overturned if it is confirmed that the investigation was launched only after Paulavičius was removed, and if he was never properly notified.
“In that case, the logical outcome would be to revoke the order and reinstate him for the remainder of his term,” he said.
Jeglinskas also noted that while there is no formal term limit, Paulavičius had expressed interest in continuing his leadership or seeking a position at the EU level.
Committee members said the allegations cited by the ministry lacked strength and credibility.
“The complaints we saw were the kind that every manager encounters,” said Jeglinskas, adding that the complaints did not appear compelling.
Criticism from across the aisle
Opposition MPs also voiced scepticism over the minister’s actions. Committee deputy chair Laurynas Kasčiūnas, a conservative, called the dismissal “scandalous” and said the complaints were unregistered and could have been submitted at any time.
“The content mostly involved issues of workplace conditions and rotations – standard concerns in any institution,” he said.
Liberal MP Viktorija Čmilytė-Nielsen said the minister’s actions may have violated the Intelligence Law and caused significant damage to the institution.
“If the law was not followed, the first step should be to reinstate the colonel and for the minister to admit a mistake,” she said, suggesting that personality conflicts may have played a role.
While some MPs hinted at incompetence or a clash of egos between Šakalienė and Paulavičius, none called for the minister’s resignation or formal interpellation at this time.
Both Šakalienė and Paulavičius declined to speak to reporters following the meeting.
Paulavičius was appointed head of the Second Investigation Department under the Ministry of National Defence in August 2020. The department is one of two intelligence services responsible for national defence and security.
