Lithuanian Court of Appeal Orders Defendant in DHL Arson Case to Remain in Custody

Lithuania's Court of Appeal has reinstated the pre-trial detention for one of the accused in the DHL parcel arson case, overturning a lower court's decision to release him. The defendant, identified as 63-year-old Ukrainian citizen Vasylij Kovač, will now remain in custody for an additional three months.

The appellate court's ruling specifically nullified the Vilnius Regional Court's May 20 decision, which had not extended Kovač's pre-trial detention. The Court of Appeal stated that it would "make a new decision – to extend the term of pre-trial detention for V. Kovač for three months, counting this term from June 3, 2026."

This decision comes approximately one year after the incident involving the DHL aircraft crash in Vilnius. The case concerns the arson of parcels intended for the cargo plane. The details of the arson and the extent of the defendants' involvement are central to the ongoing legal proceedings.

The reversal of the lower court's decision underscores the seriousness with which the authorities are treating the case. The continued detention of Kovač suggests that the court believes there is a continued risk of flight or interference with the investigation should he be released.