Plungė police investigate suspected incitement against Jews

Police in Plungė district have opened a pre-trial investigation into a social media comment that may have incited hatred against Jews, LRT reported.

The comment was posted on Facebook beneath an article published by a news portal. Police identified it through their virtual patrol, which works to prevent offences online, General Prosecutor’s Office representative Viktorija Jonuitė told BNS.

The investigation is being led by the Klaipėda District Prosecutor’s Office. Authorities are collecting relevant information and waiting for expert conclusions, Jonuitė said.

The investigation concerns possible incitement against a group on the grounds of its Jewish nationality. Inciting violence or physical reprisal against a group or one of its members because of their nationality is punishable by community service, a fine, restriction of liberty, arrest or up to three years in prison.