Lithuanian prosecutors bring new suspicions against Snoras' ex-shareholders

According to the suspicions filed last week, they are suspected of breach, large-scale appropriation of Snoras' property (LTL 1.7 billion or EUR 492.7 million), fraudulent bookkeeping and document forgery and use of forged documents.

A Vilnius court has satisfied the motion from the office to issue a detention decree for Antonov and Baranauskas in accordance to the new suspicions, the Prosecutor General's Office said.

Prosecutor General Darius Valys has signed relevant European arrest warrants for the two suspects.

"Based on decisions by the prosecutor of the Prosecutor General's Office of May 28, Antonov and Baranauskas are suspected of misuse, and large-scale appropriation of Snoras' property – LTL 1.7 billion, conspiracy, acting in a criminal group, fraudulent bookkeeping and document forgery and use of forged documents," prosecutors said in a statement.

Based on the Snoras administrator's request, in late May a UK court ordered arrest of assets worth of up to EUR 492 million owned by Antonov, currently residing in London.

The next court hearing is schedule for June 15.

In the light of the information provided by the central Bank of Lithuania about the violations, suspected offenses to the country's financial system, property and public service established during the analysis at Snoras, prosecutors opened an investigation on Nov. 14 into fraudulent bookkeeping, document forgery, breach, embezzlement, money laundering and other criminal deeds.

In November 2011, both top executives were recognized suspects on large-scale money appropriation, document forgery, while Baranauskas was also suspected of fraudulent bookkeeping and abuse of official position.