Police have learned lessons from the August 10 riots, preparing for the riots during future demonstrations.

On Thursday, A. Bilotaitė together with the Police Department and the Public Security Service discussed a rally organized by the Seimas on August 10, which turned into riots, and discussed preparations for the rally organized by the Seimas on 10 August. September.

“We see that there may be a lack of closer cooperation between the institutions, the Public Security Service and the Police Department. But both officers and operations commanders drew conclusions. In the future, close cooperation will be ensured, “A. Bilotaitė told reporters on Thursday.

According to her, officials are already preparing for possible riots during future demonstrations.

“We are preparing for possible disturbances and various processes in the future. Therefore, the recommendations and plans will be prepared in advance in each case. The liability provided for in the rule of law will apply for illegal actions, organization and incitement to disturbances”, warned A. Bilotaitė.

The police learned the lessons

Renatas Požėla, Commissioner General of the Police, admits that mistakes could not be avoided during the August 10 demonstration.

“We criticize ourselves some things. We have decided how to avoid a situation in the future where the media and its representatives, members of the Seimas or anyone else who has a different opinion becomes the target of like-minded people. We have to admit that we were not satisfied with the situation that arose, “R. Požėla told reporters.

He stressed that the police would not only be more actively involved in issuing permits for the rallies in the municipalities, but also believes that events of this magnitude should not take place near the Seimas at all.

“The police are increasing their level of representation in the municipalities by issuing permits. We are sending a clear message that, in our opinion, large events that thousands of people are preparing to participate in are not possible near the Seimas, because there is no physical place there, ”said R. Požėla.

In addition, during the demonstration on September 10, the police intend to surround the perimeter to 75 years of the Seimas.

“The police will take measures to mark this perimeter by technical means; we are planning this, we are preparing for it. It will be obvious where it can be accessed, and where there is already a limit, where, unfortunately, it is protected by law,” he said. the police chief.

Likewise, according to the General Police Commissioner, in the future the police intend to use agents from other territorial police institutions when the situation so requires.

“We saw the risks in the event. The use of certain symbols was a signal to us that this event carries certain risks. Since the beginning of the event, we have steadily increased the number of police officers near the Seimas. But we needed even more officers that they were specially trained to carry out certain interventions ”, added R. Požėla.

Hold a rally

The Lithuanian Family Movement intends to hold a march and rally near the Seimas on September 10 in Vilnius. According to the organizers of the rally, during the rally “requirements will be established for persons who temporarily administer the territory of Lithuania.” At the moment, the Vilnius City Municipality is reviewing the permit issued for the rallies.

The portal tv3.lt recalls that on August 10, around 5 thousand. People gathered before the Seimas to express their disapproval of the government’s planned restrictions on unvaccinated people.

After the Seimas session, some of the protesters blocked the exits of the parliamentary building and the exit of the inner courtyard of the Seimas. When the officers took them from the building, riots broke out: bottles were thrown at officers, flares were fired and tear gas was used at the protesters.