VIP Protection: The Story Of Lithuania's 'Secret Service'

There's a whole government organization focused on the protection and security of government representatives and visiting dignitaries. In Lithuanian, it's called Lietuvos Respublikos vadovybės apsaugos tarnybą. In english, they call themselves the "Dignitary Protection Service."
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Video Sources:
vat.lt/
www.delfi.lt/apps/vat
/ vadovybesapsauga

[@slugma1054]

I like the amount of effort you put into researching your videos! Albeit, you have work to do on your Lithuanian, you'll get there someday.

[@DS.J]

While today VAD is just the security unit for political leadership, there are some interesting stories floating on the internet (including articles which can be found on Delfi and elsewhere) about the role of VAD and police unit ARAS in not allowing organised crime gangs to completely take over the country in the early 90s. Lithuanian state institutions, including the police, were at their weakest back then which allowed criminal gangs to operate above any laws and effectively become a shadow institution. The stories tell that criminals used to actually be afraid of VAD and ARAS unlike of regular police. This is because criminals knew that the core of those units was formed of highly motivated people who were not interested in being bribed and would also not be afraid if they were intimidated. Since the rule of law and police institution were not too strong back in those days (mostly during 1991-1994), allegedly there used to be encounters including, let's call it _kinetic education_ provided by VAD/ARAS to criminal gangs. Those _educational encounters_ would sometimes result in broken bones and immediate necessity to attend a medical emergency ward. This way the gangsters knew that if they were to cross some red lines, they would simply get their bones broken or even killed, irrespective of what the law or the courts say. This may sound like a movie plot of a Western, but those were some shaky times in Lithuania in those days. There were people who put the survival of the country above their own material and physical well being. It's probably safe to say by now that it worked.

[@fidenemini111]

I know one guy from VAT, he's in our archery club for at least 10 years. Very cool guy with a great sense of humor.

[@onelungg]

the best thing about VAT is their logo. mall ninja sword cool af

[@NORTHDIVISION]

The only problem is wages after tax 1000-1200€ per month,it's like joke with living costs in these days!

[@Ernissan]

Well actually my brother serving in Lithuanian Aitvaras service. And yes about body bodyguard service told just basics, but they all great people and nice...

[@thatoneguy-nf7su]

I didn't know delphi had a reaction time minigame

[@mikestikonas7622]

Thanks

[@LithuaniaExplained]

@@mikestikonas7622 ačiū labai! ☺️

[@aistisnavickas1937]

Do make video about 12th century bodyguards.

[@cm275]

Lithuanian Navy when?

[@algijura]

not sure how good pay is …
but government members should use public transport or walk everywhere