Former MP Kristijonas Bartoševičius reports to police to begin 7-year prison term for child sex abuse

A former Lithuanian parliament member convicted of sexually abusing minors has reported to police to begin serving his seven-year prison sentence, public broadcaster LRT reports.

Kristijonas Bartoševičius arrived alone at the Vilnius County Chief Police Commissariat shortly after 8 a.m. on Tuesday, without legal representation. Unofficial reports indicate he will be transferred to Kaunas Pretrial Detention Centre, though the Lithuanian Prison Service will determine his final placement based on risk assessment, health, psychological profile, and other factors.

The decision follows last week’s ruling by the Court of Appeal, which upheld Bartoševičius’s conviction on ten counts, including sexual coercion of minors, sexual abuse of a child under 16, and causing bodily harm. The court rejected his appeal and maintained the original seven-year sentence, though prosecutors had sought a harsher penalty of ten years.

Under the new ruling, Bartoševičius will also be barred for five years after release from any work involving minors. He was further ordered to pay €32,000 in compensation to victims for material and moral damages.

The case was heard in closed sessions to protect the privacy of the underage victims and witnesses. Investigations began in July 2023 after Bartoševičius resigned from parliament in January 2023 amid allegations of sexual offences against minors linked to his former role as director of the boys’ choir Ąžuoliukas (2012–2020) and as a teacher at Kaunas Veršvų Gymnasium (2018–2019).

Bartoševičius may still appeal to Lithuania’s Supreme Court or request a suspension of his sentence.