Agencyname: | Special Investigation Service |
Nativename: | Specialiųjų Tyrimų Tarnyba |
Abbreviation: | STT |
Country: | Lithuania |
National: | Yes |
Headquarters: | Vilnius |
Chief1name: | Žydrūnas Bartkus |
Chief1position: | Director |
Chief2name: | Jovitas Raškevičius |
Chief2position: | 1st Deputy Director |
Officetype: | Department |
The Special Investigation Service or STT (Lithuanian: Specialiųjų tyrimų tarnyba) is a law enforcement institution in Lithuania serving under the Seimas and the President of Lithuania to combat corruption.[1] With departments in Kaunas, Klaipėda, Šiauliai and Panevėžys, its objectives are to identify and investigate cases of corruption as well as to prevent it through education and introduction of improved procedures in the public sector.
With growing awareness of corruption in 1990s and several scandals (most notable of them was linked to the Prime Minister Adolfas Šleževičius), the Homeland Union won 1996 Lithuanian parliamentary election. The newly formed Lithuanian government, led by Gediminas Vagnorius, decided in 1997[1] to establish a separate organization for addressing the problem. It was done by government's decree.
Main task of the STT was detection and detention of corrupt and abusive of power officials (civil servants, judges and so).[2] [3]
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 President and Seimas.
Since 2008, the STT started bills' review.