Court sentences 10 young men for robberies and extortion

The Panevėžys Regional Court has sentenced 10 young men to prison for robberies, extortion and other crimes, LRT reported. Nine defendants aged between 18 and 20 received sentences ranging from one to five years, while an accomplice who had been hiding abroad was sentenced in July.

The group was convicted over crimes committed in spring and autumn 2024.

In May 2024, police called to a rented apartment in central Panevėžys found two young men injured. The victims had been invited to a party before being attacked by a group of young men. They were beaten and kicked, and had gas sprayed into their faces. Threatening them with a knife and using violence, the attackers demanded their mobile phones and other valuables, as well as 2,000 euros each the following day.

The attackers also forced a third victim in the apartment to log into his online banking and show how much money he had in his account. They took him to an ATM, seized the 350 euros he withdrew and demanded another 2,000 euros the next day. The young man was later beaten and humiliated in a park, and footage of the attack, filmed on his stolen phone, was sent to his friends.

In September 2024, another young man was attacked after meeting several defendants in an abandoned building and drinking alcohol with them. The attackers beat him and threatened to cut off his fingers, forcing him to unlock his phone. They transferred money between his accounts, withdrew 270 euros using his payment card and rented an apartment through an online rental platform after reaching the ATM withdrawal limit. The victim suffered more than 800 euros in financial losses.

Most of the defendants were charged with robbery, extortion, unlawful possession and use of an electronic payment instrument, and disturbing public order.

One defendant was also charged with possessing 5.752 grams of cannabis without intent to distribute. Another was charged with unlawful possession of ammunition and a non-firearm after police found 18 9-millimetre cartridges intended for use in a gas pistol and a knife with an automatic blade at his home. A further defendant was tried for causing physical pain to an employee of the State Child Rights Protection and Adoption Service.

Prosecutor Paulius Jasiukaitis said the defendants had not only used violence against the victims but had also cynically mocked them. He said such conduct could not go unpunished.

The Panevėžys Regional Court issued its convictions on August 10. E. Ž., a 20-year-old resident of Panevėžys district who had previously been convicted six times, received a combined five-year prison sentence for robbery, extortion, unlawful possession and use of an electronic payment card, causing moderate injury, disturbing public order and possession of narcotic substances without intent to distribute.

L. J., a 20-year-old resident of Panevėžys previously convicted four times, received a combined sentence of four and a half years for robbery, extortion, causing moderate injury and causing physical pain.

The court sentenced seven other defendants to between one and three years in prison, with the execution of their sentences suspended.