Kaunas garage demolitions spark outrage as owners claim no warning or court ruling
Residents in Kaunas discovered their garages demolished on Thursday, with owners alleging the destruction was carried out illegally by private companies without a court order or prior notice, LRT.lt reports.
Metal garage doors were broken open, some structures completely torn down, and windows smashed at the Technikos Street garage cooperative. Locals, including elderly residents, were seen salvaging belongings from the wreckage, while others attempted to temporarily secure damaged doors. One resident told LRT.lt that authorities had repeatedly denied requests to purchase the land beneath the garages, which is partially owned by two private firms and partially by the state.
The plot at Technikos St. 19 is split between UAB Rotumas—linked to major Kaunas landowner Robertas Tumėnas—and UAB Universal Business Group, represented by Mantas Kišonas. An adjacent plot at Technikos St. 21 is co-owned by Tumėnas, his spouse, and the same individual. LRT.lt attempted to contact both companies; Universal Business Group was unreachable, while a Rotumas representative declined comment after learning a journalist was calling.
An unnamed garage cooperative member, who asked to remain anonymous, stressed that the legal dispute over the land is ongoing, meaning the companies had no right to demolish the structures. “There’s no court ruling. If there were, it would say, ‘You have until July to vacate.’ But there’s nothing. They didn’t even warn anyone humanely. They only care about the land,” he said, noting that garages containing vehicles were broken into but left intact—likely out of fear of legal repercussions. “People aren’t stupid; they have no documents [to justify this].”
Residents reported filing complaints with police after the demolitions began Thursday morning. One man arrived to find his barbecue grill and tools stolen: “I left everything here yesterday, thinking it was safe. Now I have to clear it all out by tonight.” Others, including workers who stored vehicles in the garages, arrived to find the structures in ruins. “We came before work to pick up our car—just half an hour earlier—and there was no warning. I feel worst for the elderly. They’re wandering around, carrying their things. It’s inhumane,” one said.
Criticism was also directed at city officials, with residents questioning why the municipality had not intervened despite years of legal disputes. The cooperative had reportedly pooled funds for infrastructure improvements and legal fees, only to see the garages demolished without resolution.