Man in Lithuania sentenced for attacking pro-Ukraine cyclist

A Lithuanian court has convicted Janas Jakštas, born in 1987, of property damage and minor bodily harm for an attack on a cyclist, imposing a sentence of 15 months of restricted liberty. The ruling, issued on May 12 and now final, requires him to remain employed or register with the job center, and to complete a program addressing violent behavior. He must also pay compensation to the victim and reimburse the state health insurance fund for the cyclist's medical treatment.

The court determined that the attack was motivated by hatred toward the victim as a member of a group publicly supporting Ukraine – an aggravating circumstance. According to the case file, on the evening of March 27, 2025, in the Širvintos district, Jakštas pulled up alongside the cyclist in his car and demanded he remove his Ukraine-themed shirt. When the cyclist refused, Jakštas overtook him and swerved sharply toward the roadside, forcing the cyclist to brake suddenly and fall. He then ran over, again demanded the shirt be removed, grabbed at it himself, and when the cyclist tried to call for help, knocked him to the ground, breaking the phone.