Lithuanian Security Service in 1918-1940
Specifics of the first stage of creation of the independent Lithuanian state (1918-1922) determined the creation of the secret service in the military forces, the so-called News Unit, which became a well-established institution – Unit of Intelligence – on October 27, 1918.
VSD building. Military Courthouse
When geopolitical situation became stable in Eastern Europe and Lithuania was recognized by the international community, the necessity to reorganize the Intelligence Department of the military forces emerged in 1923. Military intelligence and counter-intelligence tasks remained the duty of the military services and the task of political tracking (security service) was transferred to the Ministry of Interior. Since then both authorities have been developing independently.
The first Head of the Special Services of independent Lithuania (1918-1940) became Jonas Žilinskas and the last Head during this period was Augustinas Povilaitis.
The office which had been ensuring security in Lithuania for 17 years, was reformed and changed its name for 4 times:
In August-December 1923 it was called the Criminal Department B of the Ministry of Interior;
In 1924–1926 it was called the Unit of Political Police;
At the beginning of 1927 the Unit of Political Police became Criminal Police Board Unit A;
In 1928 A became the 1st Unit.
VSD building in Kaunas
On June 1 1933 Criminal Police Board was reorganized to State Security Department. This date is considered as the official establishment date of VSD.
On the same year the 1st Unit within the VSD composition became the Security Police. According to the order of the Minister of Interior of May 1933, the purpose of this unit was to suspend or terminate activities of anti-state groups (Communist, Nazi and so on), to prevent upheavals and putsches organized by various conspirators. The Security Police had to “explore, warn and investigate criminal actions to the state security, collect testimonials and evidences and to transfer the offenders to the judicial authorities”.
1934the flag of VSD was sanctified and the official uniform was confirmed on October 17.
The Service had to be developed with the specialists of the Tsarist Russia who had to be constantly monitored and controlled. One of the main tasks was to search for contacts with the special services of the Western democratic states, to learn from their experiences, to educate own military officials, to inspire them courage and trust in their powers and to promote their love to the homeland.
Nevertheless, in 4th decade the State Security Department was already of the same level as similar services in the Western Europe.
VSD uniform approved in 1934
October 17, 1934. Sanctified VSD flag
On October 17, 1934the flag of VSD was sanctified and the official uniform was confirmed.
The Service had to be developed with the specialists of the Tsarist Russia who had to be constantly monitored and controlled. One of the main tasks was to search for contacts with the special services of the Western democratic states, to learn from their experiences, to educate own military officials, to inspire them courage and trust in their powers and to promote their love to the homeland.
Nevertheless, in 4th decade the State Security Department was already of the same level as similar services in the Western Europe.
Development of Lithuanian Security Service in 1918–1940
During the first period of recovery of the independence of Lithuania, the Security Department was led by many patriotic, energetic, and brave Lithuanian citizens. Nevertheless, during 1918-1940 intelligence, counter-intelligence and state security services were subject to substantial changes in leadership. Most of them worked just for a few months and some of them for several times with short breaks.
As the relations with the Soviet Union became more intense, on June 10, 1940 Augustinas Povilaitis, the Director of the State Security Department, ordered to destroy agency files and other secret documents. On June 15 1940 Soviet tanks came into Lithuania and took their positions by the State Security Department.
After the occupation in 1940, many officials who had been leading the Security Department were subject to violence: they were forced to emigrate to the West, change their surnames and hide, or were exiled, shot dead or died in unknown circumstances.
During this period, the longest serving Directors of the Security Department were Mikalojus Lipčius and Augustinas Povilaitis. Their destinies were similar: the first was exiled to servitude in Siberia by the occupants in 1940 where he died after two years; and the second was transferred to Lubyanka prison in Moscow immediately after the occupation (on July 23, 1940) and in 1941 he was sentenced to death.
