After the arrest, the chief of Kauno tiltai spoke: the entire business community was harmed

According to the investigation, V. Sutkus may have received bribes from the managers of private road construction companies. As suspected, V. Sutkus publicly organized, compiled and provided negative bias information for possible unlawful remuneration, with the aim of undermining the authority, business and political reputation of then Minister of Transport and Communications Rokas Masiulis. The objective was to remove R. Masiulis from the post of Minister of Transport.

The police confirmed that Juozas Aleksa, Director General of Šiaulių plentas, and A. Rusevičius, Chairman of the Board and Director General of Kauno tiltų, had been arrested in this case.

The Special Investigation Service (STT) reported that A. Rusevičius was one of the suspects in the case, but did not specify what allegations were made against him.

He claims that the allegations are not related to “Kauno tiltai”

In response to Delfi’s questions, he emphasized that he was unable to reveal or comment on specific details of the investigation. Nor can he comment on the circumstances surrounding the other people mentioned in the investigation. However, A. Rusevičius expressed his opinion on the ongoing processes on the basis of public information.

“First of all, I responsibly declare that I have not taken any illegal action. Therefore, I believe that the allegations made to me will be reviewed and dismissed. I cannot comment on the content of the suspicions, but I can only confirm that in no way they are related to the participation of AB Kauno tiltai in tenders, ongoing projects or its clients, ”said the head of the company.

According to A. Rusevičius, his professional and business activities are not restricted in any way at present.

“Summer is the busiest season for road construction, we have many projects that need to be completed on time, so there is a lot of work to be done,” he said.

The head of Kauno tiltai points out that V. Sutkus was the head of the Lithuanian Business Confederation, and the Lietuvos keliai association is also a member. Therefore, V. Sutkus allegedly also represented the interests of road users.

“We communicate with him in the same way as with the heads of other partner institutions,” says A. Rusevičius about his relationships with V. Sutkus.

A decision can have a very significant impact on the sector as a whole.

Answering questions about former Minister of Transport and Communications Rokas Masiulis, the head of Kauno tiltai emphasizes that he cannot influence the Minister of Transport and Communications or any other politician, the appointment or removal of an official and the decisions made by them.

“On the contrary, his (politicians Delphi) A single decision can have a significant impact on my situation, the company I represent or the sector as a whole. Therefore, we have always started a public discussion, a discussion of current issues with the Ministry of Transport or representatives of other clients.

Typically, dialogue has always taken place and continues to take place, in some periods more frequently, in others less frequently. I think this is a normal democratic process. Unfortunately, there was a period when there were no discussions with the road sector community at all, ”says A. Rusevičius, but did not specify which ministry decisions are in question.

It was possible to dispense with mechanisms of coercion and prosecution

The Kauno tiltai chief emphasizes that all documents and information of interest to the officials are official and provided immediately. Therefore, it argues that it considered that simpler and more civilized means could be achieved to achieve the objectives of the investigation, requesting information of interest and not using extreme mechanisms of coercion and prosecution.

“I think we live in a free and democratic state where the rights and freedoms of every human being protected by the Constitution are respected,” says the suspect.

In general, A. Rusevičius evaluates the whole situation negatively: “I suffered personally, there was a great shock for my family, and the reputation of me and the company I represent is also mentioned. More generally, dozens of companies and their representatives from various sectors have been equally affected by this situation. Therefore, the entire business community and its relationship with the general public have been harmed. “

The head of Kauno tiltai assures that he believes that all parties, both government and business representatives, should make greater efforts to restore mutual trust and constructive dialogue.

“When we talk about business, we must understand it not as a kind of abstract evil that oppresses people, but about specific companies that create jobs for many people, pay them wages so that they can support their families and guarantee them a decent and quality life in Lithuania. ” – says A. Rusevičius.

The interviewee hopes that the investigation will be completed as soon as possible to “dispel any doubts about the performance of the manager and the company.”

Delfi recalls that last week the authorities arrested the former president of the Lithuanian Business Confederation, V. Sutka, and the president of the Lithuanian Bank Association, M. Zalatorius. V. Sutkus is alleged to be trading with influence and may be rewarded for business-friendly decisions. It is believed that all taxpayers can be harmed.

They were detained by the STT and the Attorney General’s Office during an investigation into alleged large-scale bribery, bribery, influence peddling, extortion, and forgery of documents.