Court Restricts Journalists' Access in Fraud Trial Against Germanas and Co-defendants

A trial began at the Vilnius District Court against Vilhelmas Germanas and three co-defendants accused of fraud and acquiring nearly 24 million euros worth of property from the Chinese company "Bitmain." Germanas is also charged with possessing forged documents, including Greek, Portuguese, and Bulgarian passports found during a search.

The group allegedly entered into an agreement with equipment manufacturers for cryptocurrency mining devices in Kaunas. According to investigators, 5,400 devices were brought into Lithuania, but only a fraction were used. Most were quickly removed from the country via four airplane flights. To conceal this, the defendants are suspected of damaging some equipment, claiming it was all unusable in Lithuania.

Before the court session, the defendants offered no comments. In a move that drew criticism, the Vilnius District Court decided to shield the accused from journalists' cameras. Photographers and camera operators were permitted to film the defendants only from behind. Court representative Giedrius Janonis instructed media representatives to gather behind a barrier at the back of the hall, stating it was the court's procedure, though such restrictions are reportedly uncommon in other proceedings.

When questioned about limiting media coverage, Janonis responded, "What couldn't you do? We let you into the hall." He claimed the restrictions were his personal decision. Authorities have seized suspects' real estate, cars, jewelry, watches, bank funds, and cryptocurrency to secure civil claims.