Lithuania Detains Person Suspected of Attacking Russian Embassy

April 9, 2024

The Russian Embassy in Vilnius. Alma Pater (CC BY-SA 3.0)

Police in Lithuania have detained a person suspected of carrying out two arson attacks on Russia’s Embassy in Vilnius over the weekend, media in the Baltic country reported Tuesday.

Law enforcement authorities launched a criminal investigation after Molotov cocktails were thrown at the embassy early on Sunday and Monday.

Neither the embassy nor Russia’s Foreign Ministry have commented on the incidents.

A Lithuanian citizen born in 1974 was taken into custody by the Vilnius police, the public broadcaster LRT reported. No other identifying details of the suspect were released.

According to LRT, the crime of damaging property is punishable by up to five years in prison.

… we have a small favor to ask.

As you may have heard, The Moscow Times, an independent news source for over 30 years, has been unjustly branded as a "foreign agent" by the Russian government. This blatant attempt to silence our voice is a direct assault on the integrity of journalism and the values we hold dear.

We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. Our commitment to providing accurate and unbiased reporting on Russia remains unshaken. But we need your help to continue our critical mission.

Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just 2. It's quick to set up, and you can be confident that you're making a significant impact every month by supporting open, independent journalism. Thank you.

Continue