Prosecutors send two flag desecration cases to court

Vilnius District Prosecutor’s Office has sent two criminal cases to court over the alleged desecration of Ukrainian and Lithuanian flags, LRT reported. The cases concern three people accused of desecrating Lithuanian and foreign state symbols and breaching public order.

The cases were submitted to the Vilnius City District Court with applications to conclude the proceedings through court penal orders.

According to the pretrial investigation, E. J. and D. K., who were intoxicated, allegedly tore a Ukrainian flag from a building on Gediminas Avenue in Vilnius during the night of September 14. They then fled but were detained shortly afterwards.

During the night of September 15, a Lithuanian flag was allegedly torn from a building on Islandijos Street in Vilnius in front of bystanders. Part of its flagpole was also broken. M. J. K.-J. was charged in connection with that incident.

The pretrial investigations were completed within several days after the necessary procedural actions were carried out.

Desecrating state symbols is punishable by community service, a fine, restriction of liberty, arrest or imprisonment for up to two years.