Lithuania's intelligence oversight: Three checks in 2025, focus on rights and controls

Lithuania's Intelligence Oversight Department conducted three significant checks on the country's intelligence institutions in 2025, with a primary focus on human rights and internal security protocols. The department's 2025 activity report, presented to the Seimas (parliament), detailed these investigations.

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In 2025, we dedicated a significant portion of our time to checking intelligence institutions. A total of three checks were carried out – one planned, one control, and one unplanned.

One key inspection evaluated the legality of intelligence actions and the authorization process for intelligence operations between 2022 and 2024. This sensitive area directly balances state security needs with individual human rights. The department assessed the justification, legality, and proportionality of court requests, ensuring they did not infringe upon human rights. Personal data processing was also analyzed. While an inspection at the Second Department of Operational Services (AOTD) is complete, with no violations of rights and freedoms found, an inspection at the State Security Department (VSD) is ongoing due to its larger scope and complexity, extended until the end of the year.

A second inspection reviewed the implementation of recommendations made following a 2024 check on the organization of internal controls within intelligence agencies. The report indicated a positive outcome, with both AOTD and VSD fully implementing the department's recommendations.

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The most important conclusion is that no violations of individuals' rights and freedoms were found during the checks conducted.

The third inspection focused on the AOTD's internal security measures, examining organizational processes, operational security, information protection, infrastructure, and personnel. This included assessing the prevention of psychological violence and mobbing. This check is also ongoing and expected to conclude this year.

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The result here is clear and positive – both AOTD and VSD have fully implemented all our recommendations.

Additionally, the department received 15 complaints in the past year, slightly more than usual, concerning alleged abuses of power or other potentially illegal actions by intelligence officials. Investigations were launched based on four of these complaints, two were dropped (one due to court proceedings, the other withdrawn by the complainant), and two were dismissed as unfounded. The department plans to conduct two new checks this year, one focusing on the use of collected intelligence information and another on the provision of intelligence to national security institutions.

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Last year, the institution received slightly more than usual – 15 – complaints about possible abuses of power or other potentially illegal actions by intelligence institutions and officials.