Vilnius man convicted for secretly filming and inciting hatred

A man from Vilnius has been found guilty of inciting hatred and publicly mocking various groups, including Lithuanians, Jews, and Ukrainians. The court convicted him for secretly filming conversations, spreading hateful content on social media, and provoking random individuals.

Between July 2025 and January 2026, the man, identified as M.V., filmed, stored, and distributed videos online. In these recordings, he openly mocked and incited hatred against people based on their nationality, language, sexual orientation, social status, views, and beliefs. His provocations often involved using offensive language and expressing support for Russia's aggression against Ukraine.

The Vilnius District Court sentenced M.V., born in 1980, to a final sentence of 40 days in jail, suspending its execution for one year. During this period, he must adhere to a curfew, remain within his residential area without permission, and either work or study. The court also prohibited him from using random video chat sites and apps, live-streaming, or sharing any related information.

Furthermore, the equipment used for his crimes, including two desktop computers, three monitors, a surveillance camera, and lighting equipment, was confiscated from his studio. The investigation was led by the Vilnius District Prosecutor's Office, with officers from the Vilnius County Chief Police Commissariat conducting the inquiry.