Crime, Legislation, Lithuania, Markets and Companies, Telecomunications

The decision was influenced by the increasing numbers of prisoners and offences made by them, particularly telephone scams.

Since 1 March 2014, the Prison Department and subordinate institution divisions will be able to carry out criminal intelligence in prisons and public undertakings under correction houses when information is available about planned, ongoing or committed serious and grave crimes, as well as certain less serious crimes, or when there is information about people planning, committing or having committed such crimes.

The Law on Criminal Intelligence enables to obtain information from entities that provide electronic communication networks and services, from the Bank of Lithuania, financial companies and credit institutions as well as other legal persons. The law permits the use of technical measures under specific procedures; to secretly control correspondence; to secretly enter person's dwelling, office, other premises and vehicles; to simulate a criminal offence; to conduct covert surveillance upon receiving a sanction from a prosecutor or the court.

The law also stipulates that activities of the criminal intelligence subjects can be appealed against to the head of the primary criminal intelligence institution or a prosecutor. If a person is not satisfied with the reply, a complaint may be submitted to the regional court which will take the final decision.