May 2, BNS–Police have opened a criminal case in the smashing of a window on the Lithuanian Jewish Community building last week. LJC chairwoman Faina Kukliansky told BNS the event took place Thursday night at the building on Pylimo street in Vilnius during Passover week.

“At 4:00 A.M. the alarm went off. It’s a large rock, probably torn from the sidewalk paving at the bus stop [across the street]. They threw it into the window where young children gather for the children’s club. Fortunately it happened at night when there were no children, or it would have been tragic,” she said. She said there was property damage. The incident was caught on video and the video material has been given to the police. She said it was surprising the window was broken during the holiday. “It’s difficult for us to assess. Let the police first find who did it. Maybe it’s a coincidence, maybe it was the act of drunk hooligan, but maybe not. But it is a fact we need security. The World Jewish Congress has promised to set up a security system and put plastic over the windows. Promises, promises, and now this happens,” she commented.

Police told BNS a criminal case for property destruction and damage to part of the premises of the Vilna Gaon State Jewish Museum has been filed.