Lingis, 33-year-old deputy editor of Republica newspaper, was killed by three shots to his head and spine as he was walking to his car. Lingis, who had written frequently about corruption, had been investigating a story about the Lithuanian criminal underworld. On the day he was shot, he was supposed to meet a government official who had agreed to give him some important information. In November 1994, four people were arrested and convicted of the murder. B. Dekanidze, mastermind of the murder, was sentenced to die by shooting. I. Akhremov, who committed the murder, received a life sentence. His accomplice, V. Slavitsky, was sentenced to 14 years, and the driver, B. Bobichenko, was sentenced to 13 years and 3 months.