After Marijampolė Assault, Police Identify Minors and Consider Parental Responsibility

Lithuanian authorities have identified the minors involved in a violent assault that occurred in Marijampolė's Poetry Park, an incident that has drawn widespread condemnation. Police are conducting a pre-trial investigation into a breach of public order following the conflict among adolescents.

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The individuals who participated in the event, where the actions were performed, where they filmed, are known, the process is underway, and the individuals are being questioned.

According to law enforcement, the victim sustained numerous blows from hands, feet, and a mobile phone. The assault was witnessed and filmed by bystanders, with the video circulating on social media the same evening. The injured girl was taken to a medical facility after feeling unwell, and her relatives subsequently reported the incident to the authorities. Prosecutors indicated that the conflict stemmed from social media comments.

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In this case, we are not talking about bringing a person to criminal responsibility, as, according to preliminary data, a minor allegedly assaulted another minor.

Officials are now considering the potential responsibility of the parents of the minor accused of the assault. "In this case, we are not talking about bringing a person to criminal responsibility," stated M. Draudvila, referring to the alleged perpetrator being a minor. He added that the parents of the child who allegedly committed the violence might be considered.

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In such cases, as in the story of alleged violence against a child in Marijampolė, not only the perpetrators but also those who observe violent actions and film them should be held accountable.

Social Protection and Labor Minister Inga Ruginienė emphasized that accountability should extend beyond the perpetrators to those who observe and film violent acts. She believes that those who watch, film, and share such videos should face strict responsibility, comparable to that of the aggressor. Ruginienė expressed relief that all children involved have been identified and are now within the scope of the support system.

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That responsibility should be equal to that of the perpetrator, because the one who watches, who films, who posts the video, should also bear strict responsibility.