Defence lawyers oppose state demand for riot defendants to cover legal costs

The defence lawyers for individuals convicted over the 2021 riots near the Lithuanian parliament have rejected prosecutors’ appeals to force defendants to pay for their state-appointed attorneys, arguing the demands fail to account for their clients’ financial situations, LRT reports.

During closing arguments in the Vilnius Regional Court’s appellate review of the case, attorney Gintas Gustaitis—representing Arnoldas Radzevičius and Mindaugas Gudelis—stated that prosecutors had not assessed each defendant’s ability to pay. He also claimed police actions had provoked the unrest, suggesting the case should have been treated as an administrative rather than criminal matter.

Lawyer Ana Ustinovič, defending Yevgenij Ivanov, likewise urged the court to reject the prosecution’s financial claims, arguing her client could not afford the costs. She also alleged the original trial court had been biased and misapplied the law, calling for Ivanov’s acquittal.

The case stems from a September 2021 protest that turned violent near the Seimas. A lower court previously convicted 84 of 87 defendants on rioting charges, with two acquitted and one case reclassified as resisting police. Seventeen were deemed repeat offenders. Sentences ranged from suspended terms to real imprisonment, including a four-year term for Antanas Kandrotas (alias Celofanas) and a two-year suspended sentence for teacher Astra Genovaitė Astrauskaitė.

Prosecutors have appealed, seeking harsher penalties, including immediate imprisonment for repeat offenders and financial compensation for state-provided legal defence. The appellate court is reviewing over 60 appeals, most filed by defendants seeking acquittal.