Lithuanian Police Open Criminal Probe After Bikers Disrupt Muslim Prayers

Lithuanian police have opened a criminal investigation after around 100 motorcyclists gathered outside Kaunas Mosque during Friday prayers.

The incident took place on September 11.

Reporting says participants revved motorcycle engines, played loud music and chanted “Lithuania” while worshippers were praying.

One participant also displayed a severed pig’s head towards people at the mosque.

Police initially opened administrative proceedings over the unauthorised gathering.

By September 14, authorities had opened a pre-trial criminal investigation into possible incitement against a religious group and interference with religious services.

Police say some participants have already been identified.

Kaunas Mufti Aleksandras Beganskas said the gathering deliberately targeted Muslims and questioned whether officers present at the scene had adequately protected worshippers.

Lithuanian parliamentary speaker Juozas Olekas also condemned the incident, saying criticism and protest are legitimate but deliberately humiliating people or disrupting religious rites is not.

The investigation is continuing.

Sources

• Daily Baltic – Kaunas police open criminal probe into mosque incident
• Riga TV – Incident outside Kaunas mosque during prayers
• European Pravda – Lithuanian police investigate Kaunas mosque incident
• NRA – Parliamentary speaker responds to Kaunas mosque incident