Lithuanian court upholds detention of paramedic’s ex-wife suspected in his murder

A Lithuanian appeals court has rejected a complaint from Justina Gaigalaitė, the ex-wife of slain paramedic Mantas Sadauskas, upholding her two-month pretrial detention, LRT.lt reports.

Gaigalaitė, brought before Panevėžys Regional Court early Thursday, had challenged the severity of her detention, which began on April 21. The three-judge panel ruled the measure proportionate to the alleged crime’s gravity and necessary to protect public interest, citing risks she could obstruct the investigation, flee, or commit further offenses.

The decision is final and not subject to further appeal. Prosecutor Lukas Krivickas told journalists the case remains in its early stages, declining to disclose details of the investigation into Sadauskas’ killing. “Such acts are complex to uncover, but authorities are working to solve this crime,” he stated.

Gaigalaitė, who concealed her face upon arrival at court, has consistently denied guilt through her lawyer, Vaidotas Sviderskis. He argued the two-month detention was excessively harsh and reiterated her presumption of innocence, emphasizing that Thursday’s hearing addressed only pretrial measures—not her culpability. “We resolve procedural matters in court, not in public,” Sviderskis said, urging restraint in discussing the case, including divorce proceedings tied to the suspect.

On April 23, the same court first ordered Gaigalaitė’s detention. Her legal team had sought alternative, less restrictive measures.