A few weeks after Hanukah celebrations in Siauliai, Lithuania were partially disrupted by a neo-Nazi demonstration and the pulling down of a menorah in the center of town, the Lithuanian media is reporting that the perpetrators are so far getting away scot-free, according to press summaries prepared by UCSJ’s Baltic Bureau. Law enforcement agencies were considering bringing charges against members of the Lithuanian National Democratic Party for trying to disrupt a Hanukah ceremony by marching on it with antisemitic signs and shouting anti-Jewish slogans before being dispersed by police. However, the January 8, 2004 issue of the daily “Respublika” reported that no such charges will be brought.

The same day, the local newspaper “Siauliu Krastas” added that a planned meeting of the city council’s Ethics Commission called to decide an official response to the behavior of council member and Lithuanian National Democratic Party leader Mindaugas Murza has been postponed, after half of the commission’s members failed to show up. The idea for the meeting was initiated by the city’s mayor, who has publicly condemned Mr. Murza’s attempted disruption of the ceremony.

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