Cross vandalised at Vilnius Church of Divine Mercy – suspected perpetrator still sought
An unidentified man damaged a sculpture of Jesus at the Church of Divine Mercy in Vilnius. Police are conducting a pre-trial investigation; the suspect's identity has not yet been established.
Vandalising at Vilnius church: community shares video footage
As reported by LRT, security camera footage circulated on social media showing a man who damaged a cross at the Church of Divine Mercy in Vilnius on Dominikų Street on 11 November at approximately 21:00.
An unidentified person removed a gold-coloured sculpture of Jesus that hung from a wooden cross in the church's inner courtyard and smashed it. An additional video recording also appeared on social media: it shows one man posing with the sculpture whilst another photographs him. When the sculpture breaks, both men are startled and flee the scene. In the recording, the men can be heard speaking English.
The video recordings were publicly shared by the church's vice-rector Elijas Anatolijus Markauskas. The church community urges everyone with significant information to contact the police by phone +370 700 60 000 or via the portal www.epolicija.lt. Residents of the Old Town and surrounding districts and workers at accommodation facilities are particularly encouraged to come forward.
Vilnius District Police Headquarters confirmed that a pre-trial investigation has been initiated due to a breach of public order as provided for in the Criminal Code. "The suspect's identity is being established," stated a headquarters comment.
Source: LRT