Resident of Kapčiamestis dies after receiving letter from defence ministry

A man in his 80s from the Lithuanian town of Kapčiamestis died shortly after receiving a letter from the Ministry of National Defence informing him that his property would be expropriated for a military training ground, local community representatives confirmed to LRT.

The incident, first reported on social media, was confirmed by Tomas Ramanauskas, head of the local group *Kapčiamiesčio bendruomenės giria*, who said he had spoken directly with the man’s family. “The man received the letter, started opening it, and died before he could finish,” Ramanauskas told LRT. He added that residents link the stress of the expropriation process to at least one other recent death in the town.

A photograph circulating online shows an unopened ministry letter lying beside the deceased man. His daughter, Asta, told LRT the image was authentic and that her father—a long-time resident with chronic health conditions—had feared losing his land, including forests inherited from his parents. “He was terrified of that letter,” she said. “He had regained this land after it was taken before, and now he was about to lose it again.” While she acknowledged his pre-existing illnesses (chronic pulmonary obstruction and heart failure), she questioned whether the shock of the notice contributed to his death.

Local mayor Ausma Miškinienė of Lazdijai district confirmed two deaths in Kapčiamestis this year among elderly residents affected by the training ground plans but stated there was “no official data” linking them to the ministry’s letters. She called speculative claims “irresponsible and painful” for grieving families but acknowledged the emotional toll on the community. “The situation remains sensitive,” she said, noting that while most residents do not oppose the training ground, some fear for their future and property.

The defence ministry’s letters notify landowners that their properties will be expropriated, restricting their use pending compensation. Critics argue the process lacks sufficient psychological support for affected residents. Earlier this year, the Health Ministry noted that a mobile crisis team had been made available in Kapčiamestis, but no residents requested assistance.