Teenager charged with murder of 15-year-old appears in Vilnius court

A 16-year-old boy accused of murdering his 15-year-old peer in Vilnius was brought to a hearing at the Vilnius Regional Court on Wednesday, reports LRT.

The suspect arrived under escort in a secured zone of the courthouse, with witnesses—including an older woman and a young man shielding themselves from journalists—also attending. One witness, who claimed to know only one of the teenagers, told reporters: “I care about both sides.” A police officer who visited the crime scene was also present to testify.

The defendant, held in custody since August last year, previously participated in a February hearing via video link from a Kaunas detention facility. Prosecutors allege the crime involved the “especially brutal” murder of a 15-year-old boy in Vilnius’ Žvėrynas district in August 2025. The victim’s remains were later found in a waste container and nearby woodland.

Under Lithuanian law, minors as young as 14 can be prosecuted for murder, with a maximum penalty of 10 years’ imprisonment. The charge carries a potential life sentence for adults, or 8–20 years for acts involving torture or extreme cruelty.