Lithuanian Parliament Speaker sees no need for new CIA prison probe

Lithuanian Parliament Speaker Juozas Olekas has dismissed the need for a new investigation into allegations of a secret CIA prison operating within Lithuania. He asserted that a prior, comprehensive inquiry had already determined that no such facility existed or operated in the country.

Olekas's comments come in the wake of renewed public discussion surrounding the possibility of a "black site" detention center. These discussions were reignited after the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) issued a ruling concerning a case involving a Saudi Arabian national. The court found that the individual had been unlawfully detained in a U.S. facility in Lithuania and awarded him €30,000 in compensation.

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He says that the previous investigation was thorough. He says that no evidence of the prison's operation was found at the time.

The Parliament Speaker emphasized that the previous investigation into the matter was exhaustive and concluded without uncovering any evidence to support the claims of a CIA prison. He suggested that revisiting the issue would be redundant, given the findings of the earlier probe.

The ECHR's decision highlighted concerns about the legality of detention practices and raised questions about Lithuania's potential involvement in facilitating such operations. While Olekas maintains that past investigations were sufficient, the court's ruling has prompted renewed scrutiny and debate within Lithuania regarding its role in international counter-terrorism efforts and human rights.

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The court indicated that he was unlawfully detained in an American prison in Lithuania.