Twelve cases of desecration of Lithuanian national flags were recorded in Klaipėda on Friday. The locals talk about a possible provocation.
The police received the first reports about the desecration of Lithuanian flags just before 7:00 on Friday, said Andromeda Grauslienė, a representative of the Klaipėda District Chief Police Commissariat.
“It was reported that some of the flags were pulled out of their places, the stems were broken, and other flags were burnt,” she added.
A pre-trial investigation has been opened into the desecration of state symbols. The Criminal Code provides for a fine or imprisonment for up to two years for such a crime.
The police did not comment on whether this was a political provocation, but locals do not rule out such a possibility.
“It is likely that the local hooligans expressed their ‘love’ for their homeland in such a way. But we cannot rule out a provocation, a special outpouring of national anger,” said Saulius Liekis, a member of the Klaipėda City Council.
Attacks on Lithuanian statehood symbols – flags and monuments – are planned and coordinated abroad, according to President Gitanas Nausėda.
“Unfortunately, we already had information that this is targeted activity and that this activity is planned and coordinated outside the Republic of Lithuania,” he told reporters on Friday.
According to him, the desecration of monuments and flags could happen in Lithuania again. He also said similar incidents may occur in other NATO countries.
“What’s most important is that we stay focused and understand very well the geopolitical situation we are living in and the intentions of our adversaries or, frankly, our enemies,” Nausėda said.
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