Lithuania: Janas Jakštas Sentenced to 15 Months Restricted Freedom for Attacking Cyclist with Pro-Ukrainian Symbols

A Lithuanian court has sentenced Janas Jakštas, born in 1987, to 15 months of restricted freedom for attacking a cyclist displaying pro-Ukrainian symbols. The Vilnius District Court found him guilty of property damage and causing minor bodily harm. This was reported by LRT, as written by «European Pravda».

12 May verdict is final. It obliges Jakštas to remain employed or register with the employment center, and to complete a program on overcoming aggressive behavior. Additionally, the convicted individual must pay compensation to the victim and reimburse the state health insurance fund for the cyclist's treatment costs.

The court determined that the attack was motivated by hatred towards the victim as a member of a group publicly supporting Ukraine, which was considered an aggravating circumstance. According to case materials, on the evening of March 27, 2025, Jakštas approached the cyclist in the Širvintos district in his car and demanded that he remove his T-shirt with Ukrainian symbols.

When the cyclist refused, Jakštas overtook him and sharply swerved onto the roadside, forcing the cyclist to brake suddenly and fall. He then ran up to the victim, again demanded he remove the T-shirt, grabbed it himself, and when the cyclist tried to call for help, he pushed him to the ground, breaking his phone in the process. Previously, a court in Poland found Krzysztof Tołwiński, former Deputy Minister of Finance, guilty of insulting Ukrainians and inciting national hatred. In November, a Polish court decided not to arrest an anti-Ukrainian activist.