Normal
Lithuanians can only put their teeth on the shelf - we have to work the longest
in Europe for one euro, which is why we are the poorest in Europe. That
pensioner with only a lean herring in his hands, leaving Maxima before
Christmas, keeps popping up in my memory.
“The Vilnius Regional Court on Thursday convicted former
army chief Valdemaras Rupšys for fraud, abuse and forgery of documents and
fined him EUR 20,000.
Former deputy chief of the Military Medical Service Šarūnas
Ratkus, who was also convicted, was fined EUR 15,000.
In addition, the court banned both V. Rupšys and Š. Ratkus
from being appointed or elected to elected or appointed positions in state or
municipal institutions, agencies or companies for five years.
The former army chief did not appear in court to hear the
verdict. Š. Ratkus was present at the hearing at the time.
The sentences essentially met what the prosecutor sought.
He proposed that the general be fined EUR 20,000, and
military doctor Š. Ratkus, who was convicted of forgery of documents, abuse and
aiding V. Rupšys fraud – a fine of 15,000 euros. In addition, both defendants
were proposed to be banned from working in the civil service for five years.
V. Rupšys was charged with paying for his two dental
implants at the expense of the military.
“The court found that the defendant V. Rupšys lost his teeth
not due to a sudden injury during service, but due to a chronic illness. Since
the loss of teeth was not related to service, there was no reason to pay for
their implantation and prosthetic services with state funds,” said judge Ugnė
Gailiūnienė, explaining the reasons for the verdict.
According to the judge, both defendants knew that there was
no reason to cover the implants with state funds, but in order for V. Rupšys
not to have to pay out of pocket, they forged documents.
“Although the material damage is not significant, less than
EUR 4,000, the court recognized that significant non-material damage was caused
to the Lithuanian military and the state, because both individuals held
extremely high positions in the Lithuanian military. V. Rupšys was generally
one of the highest state officials at the time,” said Judge U. Gailiūnienė.
According to the judge, these officials were responsible for
ensuring that state funds were used transparently, legally and reasonably, but
despite this, they forged documents and committed fraud.
“State budget funds were illegally used to satisfy the
personal needs of the accused V. Rupšys,” said the judge.
The court dismissed the civil claim filed by the prosecutor
on behalf of the Ministry of National Defence, because the claim was filed on
behalf of the inappropriate entity. According to the court, the civil claim
should be filed by the military.
After the verdict was announced, Š. Ratkus said he would
appeal to the Court of Appeal because he feels innocent.
“I did my job honestly. I certainly did not benefit from it
and did not seek it,” said the convicted military medic.
“The money may seem large, but neither the commander of the
army nor I would really be so petty. Let’s not assume that everyone is rotten,”
said Š. Ratkus.
Prosecutor S. Barsulis said that the verdict largely
satisfies the prosecutor’s office.
According to the case file, while serving as commander of
the army, V. Rupšys had dental implants costing almost 4,000 euros, which were
paid for by the army. A prosthesis of the adjacent tooth – a so-called crown –
was previously attached to the tooth that broke while eating, which is why two
implants were placed.
Previously, V. Rupšys said that while visiting Lithuanian
soldiers in Germany in July 2022, he suffered a dental injury, the incident was
recognized as service-related, therefore the treatment was paid for by the
national defense system.
V. Rupšys served as the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed
Forces from 2019 to 2024.”
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