Lithuanian police have detained an individual suspected of launching incendiary attacks against the Russian embassy in Vilnius.
The incidents, which took place over the recent weekend, involved the hurling of Molotov cocktails at the embassy's premises, causing property damage but no reported injuries.
Details of the Detention
Law enforcement officials confirmed the detention of a 1974-born Lithuanian citizen, already known to police, in connection to the attacks.
The suspect is currently held at the Main Directorate of the Vilnius Police, where a pre-trial investigation is underway, according to LRT.
The authorities are investigating the incidents as property damage committed in a generally dangerous manner, a crime that carries a potential penalty ranging from a fine to up to five years of imprisonment.
Diplomatic Strains
The first attack occurred in the early hours of Sunday, around 2:15 am, when an unidentified assailant threw a Molotov cocktail at the embassy building. A similar assault followed on Monday night at 2:46, resulting in damage to the embassy's wall.
These acts of vandalism have heightened tensions amidst already strained diplomatic relations between Lithuania and Russia.
Relations between Lithuania and Russia have been tense, particularly since 2022, when Lithuania expelled the Russian ambassador and recalled its ambassador from Moscow. Since then, the Russian diplomatic mission in Vilnius has been led by a temporary attorney, reflecting the strained diplomatic ties between the two countries.
