Lithuanian prosecutors announced on Tuesday that they had opened an investigation into a possible case of human trafficking, after the United States released documents related to the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, which included references to prominent Lithuanians.
‘An objective and thorough investigation of circumstances of dubious legality, as well as international legal cooperation, is only possible if a preliminary investigation is initiated,’ the Lithuanian Public Prosecutor’s Office said in a statement, without naming specific suspects or crimes.
Earlier this Tuesday, President Gitanas Nauseda called for a rigorous police investigation into the case.
Take advantage of the stock market rise!
According to Lithuanian media, the names of several Lithuanian models and artistic figures appear in the files, published last week by the US Department of Justice.
Artists announced a boycott of an arts festival, Midsummer Vilnius, whose promoter, Valdas Petreikis, is mentioned in the files as having received payments from Epstein.
Petreikis has stated that he had no knowledge of Epstein’s crimes at the time they met, denies any wrongdoing and is withdrawing from promoting artistic events in the face of negative public reaction.
Continues after advertising
Lithuanian police and prosecutors are currently evaluating publicly released information, analyzing the legal framework and exchanging information with partners, the Public Prosecutor’s Office said.
