Court keeps Šarūnas Stepukonis in custody for a further two and a half months
The court has decided to extend the detention of Šarūnas Stepukonis, a suspect accused of squandering millions of euros from an investment fund, until the beginning of September.
Court keeps Šarūnas Stepukonis in custody for a further two and a half months
A judge at Vilnius District Court, who is reviewing the pre-trial investigation, has decided to keep the detained businessman Šarūnas Stepukonis in custody for a further 2.5 months. This period will be valid from 16 July until 1 September. This request was submitted to the court by European Public Prosecutor's Office representative Darius Karčinskas, according to BNS.
Those who object to this ruling have 20 days to appeal it to the higher instance – Vilnius Regional Court.
According to the Financial Crimes Investigation Service, the investigation into the alleged criminal activity and damage caused is already practically complete. All final evidence has been collected and handed over to the European Public Prosecutor's Office, which must now decide on closing the case and prepare the final indictment.
Earlier this year, in April, the prosecutor requested that the court tighten restrictions, as the suspect repeatedly failed to comply with the imposed conditions – the mandatory periodic reporting to the police. A request was made to tighten his restrictions on liberty. The most recent easing of the regime, replacing intensive supervision with simpler reporting, had been in place since December of last year.
According to the case file, Š. Stepukonis may have embezzled more than 42 million euros from companies belonging to the "BaltCap" infrastructure fund. The majority of this money, according to investigators, was lost in virtual gambling games.
The businessman was detained last summer. In March of this year, stricter supervision was imposed on him and an electronic bracelet was fitted.
Source: Google News LT — Crime (lt)