Police identify suspect in churchyard Jesus statue vandalism

Vilnius police have identified a person suspected of breaking a statue of Jesus at a church in the Lithuanian capital, LRT reported.

According to the Vilnius County Chief Police Headquarters, a person removed the statue from a wooden cross mounted on a wall in the courtyard of the Divine Mercy Sanctuary on Dominikonų Street during the night on Thursday. The person carried it into the street and smashed it.

After investigative actions, officers identified the suspected perpetrator on November 14. The person was questioned and formally notified of the suspicion. As a precautionary measure, their identity document was seized.

The pre-trial investigation concerns the alleged desecration of a grave or another place of public reverence. It is being organised and led by the Vilnius District Prosecutor’s Office of the Vilnius Regional Prosecutor’s Office.