Unknown armed forces – investigation over the killing of Lithuanian filmmaker in Mariupol
Context
Ongoing investigation into the killing of Lithuanian filmmaker Mantas Kvedaravičius in Mariupol in the context of the Russian war against Ukraine
Type of jurisdiction
Passive personality
Suspects
Unknown armed forces
Country of residence of suspects
Unknown
Charges
As the case is at the investigation stage, no suspect has been formally charged. The investigation presumably focuses on charges of war crimes and murder.
Current status
Under investigation
Facts
Lithuanian filmmaker Mantas Kvedaravičius went to Mariupol to shoot footage for the second part of his documentary Mariupolis. Around the end of March 2022, he was captured by armed forces (presumably Russian-backed soldiers), while helping to evacuate civilians from the besieged city. He was found dead a few days later in the vicinity of the place of arrest.
Procedure
In April 2022, Lithuanian authorities opened an investigation into the case. The European Center for Constitutional and Human Rights supported Kvedaravičius’s fiancée, Hanna Bilobrova, and her Lithuanian lawyer in gathering and analyzing evidence as well as by providing legal expertise in international criminal law.
