Convicted activist Kandrotas travelled abroad due to missing data in border system

Convicted protest activist Antanas Kandrotas, known by the alias Celofanas, was able to travel to Belarus because border control systems lacked necessary data to enforce court restrictions, Justice Minister Rita Tamašunienė told lawmakers on Thursday, LRT reports.

“When departing via the airport, the system likely lacks certain data that would ensure full enforcement of court rulings,” Tamašunienė said during the government’s question hour in the Seimas. She acknowledged “gaps” in the system and stated they would be addressed.

The minister described the issue as primarily falling under the Interior Ministry’s jurisdiction but noted the Justice Ministry would also examine it. She had previously addressed Kandrotas’ travel to Belarus on Tuesday, stating that Lithuania has almost no legal cooperation with Belarus, making it unsurprising that he chose that destination.

“We must understand our relationship with third countries. With Belarus, we effectively have only one agreement governing any cooperation,” Tamašunienė said. She contrasted this with other nations where Lithuania successfully secures the extradition of wanted individuals.

Kandrotas, currently facing multiple charges, confirmed to news outlet Delfi that he had flown to Minsk for the second time this year. In a video posted on Telegram, he claimed to be resolving “serious issues” and stated, “As they say, we love the homeland not with words, but with deeds.”

A court had imposed a written undertaking not to leave Lithuania as a precautionary measure, but Kandrotas maintains he did not violate it, arguing his travel does not obstruct judicial proceedings. He is currently appealing a four-year prison sentence for his role in 2021 riots near the Seimas. In a separate case, he was sentenced in March to one year in prison for inciting hatred against former MP Tomas Vytautas Raskevičius and disturbing public order. Neither ruling has yet taken legal effect.

Vilnius District Court has also begun hearing a case in which Kandrotas is accused of assaulting public figure Valdas Bartkevičius in a public place.