VILNIUS — The investigation of Ministry of Health Vice Minister Artūras Skikas’ alleged abuse of office expanded Monday as the ministry’s chancellor Rimantas Remeika was questioned as a witness in the case.

Minister of Health Algis Čaplikas cut short his planned skiing vacation in Italy this week to return to Lithuania tomorrow to assist in the investigation.

On Monday the Vilnius 2nd District Court approved a police request to keep Skikas in custody two more weeks for questioning. Meanwhile Skikas was stripped of his membership in the Liberal and Center Union Party, in which he was a party delegate.

Skikas was arrested Thursday afternoon at his desk by Lithuania’s anti-corruption task force Special Investigation Service. He is accused of accepting a 20,000 litai (€5,790) bribe from a co-worker.