Sinkevičius urges de-escalation after anti-Muslim incidents

Lithuanian Prime Minister Mindaugas Sinkevičius has called for tensions to be reduced following incidents targeting Muslims in Vilnius and Kaunas, LRT reported.

“Tensions are clearly rising. We, as a society, and politicians in particular, should look for ways to de-escalate the situation,” Sinkevičius told BNS on Monday.

He said the incidents in Kaunas and Vilnius had been undoubtedly provoked by immigration-related issues. Sinkevičius added that he had instructed Interior Minister Martynas Katelynas to prepare a plan for controlling immigration and managing possible tensions.

According to the prime minister’s adviser, Gedas Salyga, Katelynas had been asked to prepare a comprehensive plan covering stricter control of immigration and potential tensions.

Katelynas said earlier on Monday that the migrant quota system was not working and that proposals for broader changes were being prepared.

A protest against mass immigration organised by the “National Unification” movement is planned in Vilnius on October 3. Organisers say they will demand stricter deportation of foreigners convicted of crimes, the closure of migrant employment centres abroad and a reduction in the overall permitted migrant quota.

BNS reported that, in mid-September, the Quran may have been publicly burned on Etmonų Street in Vilnius. A pre-trial investigation into hooliganism has been opened.

Another incident was recorded in Kaunas in mid-September, when bikers arrived during Muslim prayers in Ramybės Park, near the mosque. They played loud music, revved their motorcycles, chanted patriotic slogans and displayed a pig’s head. Kaunas County Police opened a pre-trial investigation into incitement against a group of people and interference with religious services.