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“It was the first time we saw him. He introduced himself, told him what he was, told him how much he worked in the Seimas, because in previous terms he was an assistant to other members of the Seimas. There was some conversation, but it was all very fast, ”a member of Seimas told Delfi TV.
He says he sees a possible bribe offer as an expression of desperation.
“I can tell that we were both a bit surprised. I was really upset, it was so unexpected, “recalled M. Maldeikis.
According to a report from the Special Investigation Service (STT), this story is related to a bill still presented by the Government of Saulius Skvernelis.
As announced by BNS, at the government’s proposal, the Seimas adopted amendments to the Gaming Law, which oblige businessmen to connect gaming devices to the common gaming machine control information system (LAKIS). Its entry into force is scheduled for 2021. in November, but both when considering the project four years ago and in the last six months, market participants sought to postpone this deadline.
S. Skvernelis recalled on the show that there was also a stormy discussion at that time.
“If it’s about merging all the slot machines into one network, it was really a heated discussion at government meetings with players interested in the gambling business. In fact, it was requested that the application be postponed for a sufficiently long period. The government made decisions without respecting the requested deadlines and the law was successfully approved by the Seimas. The requirement itself should take effect now, “the former prime minister said.
Saulius Skvernelis
According to him, the LAKIS system was started as a tool to combat the shadow.
Information collected by the BNS shows that companies in the sector have been trying since last year to approach politicians with requests to postpone the entry into force of the amendments adopted a few years ago to the obligation to connect slot machines to LAKIS.
Gentville: I got a call too.
Eugenijus Gentvilas, a member of the Liberal Movement faction, admitted in Delfi that he had also received a suspicious call that could be related to the aforementioned amendments.
“I can say: I also received a call, but did not respond, realizing that I could talk about the same law. I did not answer that call and I did not call again, I did not want to participate in anything. In this case, I have my opinion, I understand that a person who probably has a different opinion called, and upon seeing the phone number, I did not answer knowingly, I did not experience pressure, “said the member of Seimas.
“Would you have experienced it if you had picked up the phone? I do not know. My colleagues who responded are speaking out today so it can be seen as pressure, ”Gentvilas said.
He confirmed that the call was made by a person who is currently being mentioned in public in relation to this story.
“The big problem is that the gambling and lottery business really relies on a non-transparent foundation. Until they are transparent, seemingly every time there is a change in the law, there will be conversations and calls that can be treated as pressure. Gambling and lotteries are a lucrative business and a lot has been said here. No one will want to resign from positions, and I don’t know if they will go through pressure, through offers of bribes. I think that learning at least from this story is not going to accept bribes ”, considered the politician.
Eugenijus Gentvilas
According to S. Skvernelis, there are more problem areas of this type: “In fact, there are many risk areas. Eugene mentioned gambling, exactly the same pharmacy… Lobbying is a legal activity if carried out in accordance with the law. You can call, write, meet, but when you offer a bribe to influence a member of the Seimas, it has nothing to do with lobbying. “
Skvernel: actions of officials should be assessed separately
Puidoko’s speeches about the alleged use of violence against him appear to have diverted attention from the very essence of the scandal, as a member of Parliament reported on a bribery proposal. Still, S. Skvernel believes that the first story is important.
“It just came to our attention then. The main, essential thing: possible bribery and possible corruption. But there is also another story: the question of the inviolability of the person of a member of the Seimas. <…> Whether there have been rapes is another story. In fact, these questions must be answered, because either the inviolability of the person of a Seimas member is real or it is a pillar, ”said the Seimas opposition leader.
“So it is not necessary at all, if we start treating it as partial, it is not absolute. The Constitution is very clear about prosecution, and such a reservation has been made. For everything else, immunity seems clear and strict enough to me. I think that response should come from the STT, which is conducting the internal investigation, and from the Attorneys General. It is strange to me that there is no filming, although the filming was done in cases that caused much less resonance, ”spoke S. Skvernelis on the program“ Essentially ”.
Last week, “Puidokas” M.Puidokas accused STT officials of violence, allegedly strangling him, ripping his clothes, tearing his hand and taking away his personal belongings. Authorities say they forcibly took Puidoko’s phones because he did not meet legal requirements.
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