Former Lithuanian prime minister and parliament speaker, currently MP Saulius Skvernelis has been ordered to wear an electronic ankle tag as prosecutors pursue a bribery investigation linked to alleged corruption at the State Plant Service, public broadcaster LRT.lt reported on July 10.

As reported by IntelliNews, prosecutors suspect that between January and November 2025 the MP received around €51,000 in illegal payments, allegedly transferred in monthly instalments of €5,000-10,000 through his adviser, Agne Silickiene.

Silickiene also held a post at the State Plant Service, whose former head, Jurijus Kornijenko, is facing separate bribery allegations.

The court-approved measure, among the toughest restrictions available short of pre-trial detention, enables authorities to monitor a suspect's movements and impose travel limits. Failure to comply could result in detention pending trial.

Skvernelis has challenged the order, describing it as unlawful and appealing the decision.

"I don't agree with this decision. It is unlawful and does not serve the purposes set out for criminal proceedings," Skvernelis told LRT Television, adding that the measure gave the impression of being "an attempt to exert psychological pressure" on him rather than a genuine step in the criminal process.

According to investigators, officials at the agency ran a scheme in which companies transporting plants and related products were allegedly charged around €250 for each phytosanitary certificate issued without the required cargo inspections. Prosecutors estimate the operation generated more than €1.1mn in illicit proceeds, LRT.lt reported.

Investigators claim Skvernelis used his political influence to assist those involved in exchange for a share of the illegal income.

The investigation is part of a wider anti-corruption case involving alleged misconduct at the agriculture ministry's State Plant Service. Charges have already been brought against 16 suspects, including former MP Kazys Starkevicius, who has acknowledged accepting a bribe of about €20,000, LRT.lt reported.