Vilnius professor faces conflicting investigations over torn nationalist poster incident

A Vilnius University professor is simultaneously under investigation as both a suspect and a victim following an altercation over a torn nationalist poster in the Lithuanian capital, public broadcaster LRT reports.

Konstantinas Andrijauskas, a docent at the university’s Institute of International Relations and Political Science, was detained by police on March 11 after tearing down a poster bearing the slogan “Lithuania for Lithuanians” on a bridge near Mikalojus Čiurlionis Street. The incident escalated into a physical confrontation with the poster’s owner, who alleged assault.

Prosecutors have launched two parallel pre-trial investigations. In the first, Andrijauskas is the suspect, accused of violating public order by damaging the poster and allegedly striking the other individual. He has been issued a written pledge not to leave the country. Gaudentas Balčiūnas, the prosecutor overseeing this case, told LRT the investigation is nearing completion, awaiting only specialist assessments—reportedly related to the victim’s health.

In the second investigation, Andrijauskas is recognised as the victim. This probe, led by prosecutor Mantas Januškevičius, examines claims of bodily harm and unlawful detention following the professor’s own complaint to authorities. “He has been recognised as the injured party,” Januškevičius confirmed, adding that no charges have yet been filed against any individual in this case.

Andrijauskas has admitted to removing the poster, which he described in a Facebook post as “radical and extremist,” but denies using physical violence or offensive language. He stated the slogan promoted “hate speech and ethnic discord.”

Raimondas Šimaitis, head of the conservative association Family, Nation, State, contradicted this account in social media posts, alleging that Andrijauskas attacked minors at the scene—who were attempting to prevent the poster’s removal—and injured an adult, who required hospital treatment. Šimaitis also shared medical records he claimed documented the victim’s injuries. Video footage later circulated online showing Andrijauskas handcuffed on the ground before being led away by officers.