A local court has ruled that L. V. Ašmantas, the first Minister of Energy in Lithuania, must pay legal costs amounting to 500 euros to each of the three victims involved in a traffic accident. The accident, which took place on September 8, 2023, occurred when Ašmantas, driving his Audi Q5, crossed a continuous traffic line and collided with a Toyota Verso, causing injuries to its occupants. Following the ruling, Ašmantas's lawyer, Gitana Martyšienė, filed an appeal against this part of the judgment, arguing that under certain circumstances, costs should be covered by state funds if a case is dismissed or a defendant is acquitted.