Lithuanian authorities disagree over responsibility after riot suspect travels to Minsk without permission

Lithuanian law enforcement and judicial bodies are disputing who should have monitored Antanas Kandrotas, a defendant in a high-profile riot case, after he travelled to Minsk in violation of a court-ordered travel restriction, LRT reports.

Kandrotas, known by the alias “Celofanas,” left for Belarus despite a written pledge not to leave Lithuania—a pretrial measure imposed by Vilnius City District Court. His trip exposed gaps in enforcement, as no agency claims responsibility for tracking his compliance.

The General Prosecutor’s Office stated that oversight should fall to Vilnius Regional Court, which is handling the appeal in the riot case involving the 2022 protests near the Seimas (parliament). However, the regional court redirected responsibility back to the original district court, arguing that the restriction remains in force until the verdict takes legal effect.

Vilnius City District Court confirmed it does not actively monitor individuals under a travel restriction, unlike those under stricter measures such as house arrest or mandatory police check-ins. Giedrius Janonis, the court’s representative, told BNS that violations of a travel pledge are only addressed if reported, typically by police or border guards. Under Lithuanian law, leaving the country without permission requires prior written approval from a pretrial investigator, prosecutor, or judge.

Police and the State Border Guard Service (VSAT) both stated they do not systematically track compliance with travel pledges. “Police do not conduct continuous supervision for this pretrial measure,” said Ramūnas Matonis of the Police Department. VSAT advisor Giedrius Mišutis added that individuals under travel restrictions are not automatically flagged in border control databases unless separately notified by the issuing authority.

Kandrotas claims he flew to Minsk, though Mišutis noted no direct flights operate from Lithuania to Belarus, suggesting he likely exited via an internal EU border—where checks are minimal—before travelling onward.

The Supreme Court of Lithuania clarified that those under a travel restriction must inform authorities of their movements within Lithuania but require explicit permission to leave the country. Gabrielė Juodkaitė-Granskienė, head of the court’s Criminal Division, explained that local police stations are typically notified of such restrictions and must determine how to enforce them. If a violation is detected, prosecutors decide on further action, potentially imposing stricter measures like house arrest.

The case stems from the 2022 riots near the Seimas, where Kandrotas faces charges. His trial is ongoing, with a verdict expected in September.