Mar 19 • 11:23 UTC 🇱🇹 Lithuania Lrytas

A. Kandrotas found guilty of inciting hatred, sentenced to imprisonment

A. Kandrotas-Celofanas has been sentenced to one year in prison for inciting hatred against a group of people.

A. Kandrotas-Celofanas has received a one-year prison sentence from the court for inciting hatred and violating public order, while his co-defendant, A. Lobovas, received a ten-month suspended sentence and a fine of 3,750 euros. Both individuals faced charges related to public disorder and hate speech against a specific group of people. Despite the court's ruling, both defendants have denied their guilt in the matter.

The legal proceedings were initiated following an incident captured in a video that surfaced on social media, which showed A. Kandrotas-Celofanas, who participated remotely, and A. Lobovas, who was present in court, mocking and ridiculing Member of Parliament T. V. Raskevičius during a court session. The footage revealed a confrontation in which both accused made derogatory remarks about Raskevičius, particularly regarding his communication capabilities, suggesting he was unable to speak effectively.

The incident has highlighted ongoing tensions regarding free speech and hate speech regulations in Lithuania, as the actions of Kandrotas-Celofanas and Lobovas were perceived as crossing a line into hate speech and personal attacks against a public figure. This case may not only influence public perception but also prompt discussions about the judicial system's stance on matters involving incitement and the protection of individual rights against hate-fueled rhetoric.

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