The Kaunas Regional Court sentenced E. Kalasūnas to 15 years in prison and D. Bulotas to 13 years on Thursday for their roles in organized attacks against two individuals who cooperated with law enforcement. The victims, Karolis Š. and Vladas S., were targeted in 2019 after allegedly falling out of favor with criminal groups. According to authorities, the defendants sought to retaliate against the informants and deter others from providing information to investigators regarding high-profile criminal cases.
The motive behind the attacks
Criminal organizations targeted Karolis Š. and Vladas S. due to their cooperation with investigators, according to prosecutors. By silencing these witnesses, the groups aimed to avoid criminal liability for serious offenses and intimidate others in the criminal underworld. Karolis Š., who is under state protection, previously provided testimony against an international criminal network led by Renaldas Kanys and Sergejus Bėglikas. This testimony was linked to the murder of world bushido champion Remigijus Morkevičius and an attempt on the life of former “Agurkiniai” gang member Gija Zabachidze.
Did You Know?
The 2019 attacks involved armed assaults in Garliava on September 29 and a stairwell in a Kaunas apartment building on November 10; both men survived the shootings.
E. Kalasūnas’ criminal record
The 15-year sentence adds to a significant legal history for E. Kalasūnas, who was already convicted in April 2025 for his involvement in the murder of Lionginas Žuromskas and the 2008 bombing of a property owned by the family of Kaunas crime boss Henrikas Daktaras. In the Žuromskas case, he received a 13-year sentence for his role in a brutal assault that involved seven attackers and the use of a metal rod. The 2008 attack on the Daktaras residence in Užliedžiai, known locally as the “Daktaras castle,” involved a Kalashnikov rifle and a grenade, though no one was injured at the time.
Expert Insight:
The sentencing of E. Kalasūnas and D. Bulotas illustrates the high stakes for individuals exiting criminal syndicates. The state’s ability to secure convictions in these cases depends heavily on witness testimony, making those who “break” from their groups both vital to law enforcement and primary targets for retaliation.
Potential next steps
The legal proceedings for E. Kalasūnas may continue as he and his associates have appealed previous convictions to the Court of Appeal. Further, law enforcement has indicated that the investigation into the 2019 shooting attempts is ongoing, with files on other potential participants currently separated from the main case. It is likely that prosecutors will continue to pursue these additional suspects as evidence is processed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why were Karolis Š. and Vladas S. targeted?
According to authorities, criminal groups suspected them of cooperating with law enforcement, and the attacks were intended as retaliation and an attempt to prevent further testimony.
What was the role of E. Kalasūnas in the attacks?
Evidence presented in court established that E. Kalasūnas organized the attacks and provided D. Bulotas with an illegal firearm equipped with a silencer, ammunition, and intelligence about the victims.
What is the connection between these attacks and the “Daktaras castle” incident?
E. Kalasūnas was involved in both. He was previously convicted for the 2008 attack on Henrikas Daktaras’ property and the 2007 murder of Lionginas Žuromskas, cases which have now been linked through judicial proceedings to his broader criminal activities.
How do these sentences impact the ongoing effort to dismantle organized crime networks in the region?
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