Expanded Powers for Lithuanian Intelligence Services
On December 23, the Lithuanian Parliament approved amendments to the law, granting additional powers to intelligence service employees.
As reported by Ukrinform, this information was shared by Delfi.
68 members of the Seimas supported the document, with no votes against, although eight politicians abstained.
The amendments stipulate that the intelligence's mission is not only to predict external risks but also to eliminate them.
In exceptional cases, where there is information about threats to national security, intelligence officers are granted the right to conduct surveillance on individuals, their correspondence, to enter premises and vehicles, and to monitor financial flows without a court order.
In such instances, the head of the intelligence agency or their authorized deputy must apply to the court within 24 hours to obtain permission to continue operations.
If permission is not granted, the intelligence service must immediately cease its actions, inform the inspector, submit the court ruling and promptly destroy the collected information.
Under the new amendments, intelligence officers may also secretly obtain fingerprints, voice samples, scents, and other specimens, as well as purchase explosive materials and devices.
Explosive devices and materials, similar to official weapons, can only be used in exceptional circumstances.
Furthermore, to prevent threats, intelligence services may enlist the support of main criminal investigation departments.
These changes will apply to employees of the State Security Department and the Second Operational Department of Lithuania.
Canadian intelligence agencies successfully thwarted several attempts to illegally export sanctioned goods to Russia.
