Lithuanian
Prosecutor General’s Office and the Financial Crimes Investigation
Service (FCIS) will resume the investigation on the origin of Vladimir
Antonov’s investments in Snoras bank.
Antonov
became the main shareholder of Snoras bank in 2003. Prosecutors and FCIS got
interested in Russian banker’s investment in summer 2007. Then, information was
received that purchase of Snoras bank central shareholding could be paid with
proceeds from crime.
During
the pre-trial investigation, two foreign countries - Russia and the UK – were
addressed for legal assistance.
After a four-year investigation, this May the General Prosecutor’s Office announced that it would terminate the investigation. It was reported that there was no evidence of a fact that the bank received the funds derived from criminal activity. Investigation was terminated on April 28.
After a four-year investigation, this May the General Prosecutor’s Office announced that it would terminate the investigation. It was reported that there was no evidence of a fact that the bank received the funds derived from criminal activity. Investigation was terminated on April 28.
Now,
however, the investigation has been resumed. As reported to DELFI portal by the
Head of Public Relations Ruta Dirsene, the investigation on the acquisition of
Snoras shares (contract amount was EUR 24 million (LTL 83 million) is included
in the case currently under investigation.
DELFI
reminds that Antonov and the second largest shareholder of Snoras Raimondas
Baranauskas currently are in London. Next Friday the British court will on the
bankers’ extradition to Lithuania.
