Elegijus Paulavičius, Lithuania’s military intelligence chief who was suspended last June, is leaving military service by mutual agreement with the defence leadership, and the official inquiry into his treatment of subordinates is being terminated, the Defence Ministry said on Tuesday.
The ministry said the agreement with the colonel was reached “to avoid disclosing internal information that could harm military intelligence”.
No further comments will be provided on the matter, it added.
Following a review launched in June, the Defence Ministry’s Inspector General concluded that Paulavičius’ actions might have involved psychological abuse and workplace bullying against intelligence officers.
To clarify the circumstances further, an official inquiry was launched last Friday, but it has now been dropped.
Defence Minister Dovilė Šakalienė suspended the director of the Second Investigation Department in late June, placing him in the temporary professional military service reserve.
The minister said that she had to take this step after receiving complaints from staff about “very serious violations” and that the military intelligence chief could not remain in post while his behaviour toward subordinates was under investigation.
The department’s director was suspended even though his term was due to end in mid-August.
After reviewing the situation, the parliamentary Committee on National Security and Defence recommended reinstating Paulavičius while continuing to examine the complaints, but Šakalienė refused.
Paulavičius has challenged his transfer to the reserve in court.
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