Vladimir Sokolov, 50, is suspected of seizing, buying and otherwise collecting information that constitutes a Lithuanian state secret or any other information that may be interesting to foreign intelligence.

Under Lithuanian laws, the punishment for the crime is between three and 15 years in prison.

According to information available to the police, the man is suspected of spying in an organized group.

Aurelija Katkuvienė, strategic communications chief at the State Security Department, told BNS that all information in connection to the search was part of a pre-trial investigation, adding that the department would not provide any information.