Lithuania allowed polygraph testing for foreigners who may pose a threat to national security
The Lithuanian Seimas has expanded the list of people who can be tested with a polygraph. Such checks can now be conducted on foreigners who may pose a threat to national security, as well as employees of companies and representatives of suppliers associated with obtaining or holding a supplier reliability certificate, reports LRT.
Illustrative photo. Photo: magnific.com
The majority of Seimas members voted for these changes. The Second Department of Operational Services initiated the amendments.
Previously, polygraph tests could only be conducted on specific categories of people, such as intelligence officers, military personnel, officials, and employees of state institutions. However, there was no possibility to test some individuals who had access to secret information if they did not belong to these categories. There was also no legal basis for testing foreigners.
Government representatives explained the necessity of the changes by the deteriorating geopolitical situation, the intensification of foreign intelligence activities, and an increase in attempts to recruit people in Lithuania. The new measures should help to more fully assess risks when issuing permits for working with secret information and when deciding on granting residence permits to foreigners.
According to the new rules, candidates for secret intelligence officers, representatives of supplier companies, and foreigners who may threaten national security can undergo polygraph tests.
A check may also be ordered if there are suspicions that a person has concealed important facts about their biography, provided false information about themselves or their environment.
In the case of foreigners, refusal to undergo a polygraph test will be considered a possible indicator of a threat to state security.
Currently, polygraph examinations in Lithuania can be conducted by state law enforcement agencies, military intelligence, the Department of State Security, and the Special Investigation Service.