Three men accused of desecrating Ukrainian, Lithuanian flags in Vilnius

VILNIUS - Lithuanian prosecutors have referred to the Vilnius City District Court two cases, in which three men are accused of desecrating the national flags of Ukraine and Lithuania in the capital.

The defendants, E. J. and D. K., while intoxicated, demonstratively tore down Ukraine’s national flag hanging from a building on Gedimino Avenue on the night of September 14 and fled. They were apprehended shortly thereafter, the Prosecutor General’s Office reported on Monday.

According to law enforcement data, E. J., born in 2000, had 1.49 promilles of alcohol in his blood, while D. K., born in 1995, had a blood alcohol level of 2.43 promilles.

In addition, Lithuania’s national flag was torn down from a building through acts of vandalism, and part of its flagpole was broken off on Islandijos Street in full view of bystanders on the night of September 15.

Charges were filed against M. J. K.-J., born in 1988, over this incident. The individual was also intoxicated, but the prosecutor’s office was unable to specify his blood alcohol level.

The Vilnius County Police conducted pretrial investigations in both cases.

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