The Financial Crime Investigation Service determined that applicants had attempted to expropriate almost 7 million litas (2 million euros) in EU assistance this year alone, the Interior Ministry reported. According to the ministry's data, nine investigations into plundering EU funds were launched this year, covering some 15.8 million litas of funds. Interior Minister Raimondas Sukys asked FCIS officials to keep a close eye on the use of EU assistance, saying it was an "issue of trust in our country."
A new border checkpoint is being opened on the Polish border. EU citizens can now travel through the Kapciamiestis-Berznyk border checkpoint by foot, bike, motor scooters, motorbikes or horse, the State Border Guard Service reported. Opening the new checkpoint is expected to meet the needs of tourists, vacationers, and local residents, as well as promote regional cooperation, which is within the interest of both countries' border district self-governments.
France's famous Spiderman, Alain Robert, successfully climbed to the top of the highest skyscraper in the Baltic states on Sept. 1. Robert climbed the 148-meter skyscraper Europa in Vilnius in a performance that was part of the event Days of the Capital. Robert has gained world fame for climbing high buildings without any additional safety or climbing gear.
About 500 residents of Lithuania are in one way or another related to organized crime groups, data presented by the Organized Crime Investigation Service of the Criminal Police Bureau showed. Organized groups are expanding their activities every year, the bureau stated. If two years ago police established criminals' contacts with 21 foreign countries, then this year, Lithuanian organized crime syndicates maintain contacts with 26 countries.
