Lithuanian academic files police complaint over alleged unlawful detention in slogan dispute

A Vilniaus University academic has filed a complaint with police over his alleged unlawful detention during a confrontation with activists displaying the slogan “Lithuania for Lithuanians,” LRT.lt reports.

Konstantinas Andrijauskas, a docent at the university’s Institute of International Relations and Political Science, claims he was illegally restrained and assaulted during the March 11 incident. Police confirmed receiving his complaint on March 16 and have launched a pre-trial investigation into allegations of causing physical pain, minor bodily harm, and unlawful detention.

Andrijauskas previously denied accusations of using profanity, damaging the banner, or striking the individual holding it. He has described the slogan as “radical and extremist,” arguing it promotes hatred and ethnic discord. The case has sparked debate over whether the phrase—historically linked to Lithuania’s early 20th-century independence movement—has been co-opted by nationalist groups to target foreign residents.

The man holding the banner, Kęstutis Tamašauskas, president of the group “Patriotic Lithuanians,” suffered a dislocated elbow and chest injuries during the altercation. Tamašauskas, known for controversial stunts such as painting over a rainbow flag in a Vilnius underpass, was among the organisers of a 2021 protest outside parliament that later turned violent. Witnesses reported that Andrijauskas was pinned to the ground until police arrived.

Authorities have designated Tamašauskas as the victim and Andrijauskas as the suspect in the initial investigation under Article 284 of the Criminal Code (disturbing public order). Andrijauskas has been issued a precautionary measure prohibiting him from leaving the country.