Man sets fire to door of Birštonas church

Case information
Incident date
Country
Lithuania
Place
Birštonas
Categories
  • Social Hostility / Intolerance
Attack Against
  • Faith
Perpetrator / Motive Indicators
  • Private
Hate Crime & Violent Incidents
  • Arson
  • Vandalism (all)
  • Vandalism of Church
Place of Incident
  • Church
Bias Indicators
  • Lack of Other Motive
  • Significance of Property/Structure/Location to religious community
  • Victim/Witness Perception
Reported to Police
  • Yes
Response of Local Authorities
  • Investigated
Image credit: Commonwiki

A 22-year-old man poured flammable liquid on the door of the church on the night of 4 August, set fire to it and smashed the glass above the main entrance door with a stone.

People from the restaurant opposite the church noticed the fire and called the fire brigade and police, who were able to prevent the church from suffering major damage. Investigations have begun and the man is in custody in the Lithuanian capital.

Sources