According to the news portal Delfi, public figure V. Bartkevičius was fined €85 for a minor public order violation after an incident where he was involved in an altercation. Although the police initially declined to start a pre-trial investigation at the request of Celofanas, the incident was deemed a minor infraction of public order. This situation unravels a conflict which has led to a significant criminal case against A. Kandrotas, who is accused of assaulting Bartkevičius during a protest in the capital, Vilnius.

The confrontation occurred on the evening of December 18 last year, during a public event at Independence Square, where a protest titled “Hands Off Freedom of Speech” was taking place. The investigation reveals that A. Kandrotas exhibited disrespectful behavior towards others, disrupting public order. When a verbal conflict arose with Bartkevičius, Kandrotas allegedly struck him in the face, causing minor physical harm, which is being treated as a criminal offense, leading to formal charges against him.

Being part of the ongoing tension surrounding freedom of expression in Lithuania, the implications of this incident are significant. It highlights the challenges public figures face in maintaining dialogue amidst increasing conflicts on social issues and reflects broader societal concerns regarding public discourse and safety at demonstrations in the country. As the investigation progresses, it may also fuel further debates about the protection of peaceful protests and the associated responsibilities of the participants in such events.