Lithuania launches human trafficking probe related to Epstein files
VILNIUS, Feb 3 (Reuters) – Lithuanian prosecutors said on Tuesday they had opened an investigation into potential human trafficking after the United States released documents related to late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein that contained references to prominent Lithuanians.
“An objective and comprehensive investigation of situations of questionable legality and international legal cooperation are possible only when a pre-trial investigation is initiated,” the Lithuanian prosecutor’s office said in a statement, without naming any suspects or a specific crime. he said.
Earlier Tuesday, President Gitanas Nauseda called for a principled investigation by law enforcement into the case.
Lithuanian media reported that the names of many Lithuanian models and art figures were included in the files published last week by the US Department of Justice.
Many artists announced that they were boycotting the Midsummer Vilnius art festival, whose organizer Valdas Petreikis was reported to have received payments from Epstein.
Petreikis said he was unaware of Epstein’s crimes when they met, denied wrongdoing and said he withdrew from promoting arts events due to public outcry.
Lithuanian police and prosecutors are currently evaluating the information made public, analyzing the legal framework and exchanging information with partners, the Prosecutor General’s Office said.
(Reporting by Andrius Sytas, writing by Louise Rasmussen, editing by Terje Solsvik)
