Lithuanian panel says authorities approved request for CIA prison, unclear whether one existed

Lithuanian panel: Authorities approved CIA prison

VILNIUS, Lithuania — A parliamentary commission has found that Lithuania approved a U.S. request to set up a secret prison in the country, but says it’s unclear whether one was ever established.

The panel says Lithuanian authorities were prepared to provide a facility where the CIA could interrogate terror suspects, and to allow the CIA to bring in detainees without going through customs and passport checks.

The panel based its findings on the testimony of top Lithuanian politicians and national security officials. It started its investigation after media reports alleged that Lithuania housed such a secret prison.

The commission urged prosecutors to launch a criminal probe into the case.