Andrius Kandelis: Dancer’s Restricted Freedom

Lithuanian Dancer Sentenced to Over a Year in Prison Following Road Rage incident

A celebrated Lithuanian dancer has been sentenced to one year and three months imprisonment following a conviction stemming from a road rage incident and a prior offense earlier this year. The court’s decision, handed down recently, underscores a pattern of behavior that officials deemed incompatible wiht a suspended sentence.

Recent Conviction Details

The sentencing follows an incident on April 30th where A. Kandelis, driving a BMW, allegedly blocked another vehicle on the road after overtaking it. According to the criminal case, Kandelis then reportedly exited his vehicle and verbally abused the othre driver, causing damage to the victim’s car – specifically the front door and side mirror. Authorities believe Kandelis attempted to physically assault the victim, though the attempt was unsuccessful.

“The court explained to the convict that without a sentence, the institutions supervising the execution of the sentence will not be able to change the place of residence…pay according to the established procedure,” stated a representative of the court, Inga Ramanauskaitė.

kandelis admitted guilt but requested the court place him under the duty of his life partner, Donalda Simonovienė, as a guarantor.However, the prosecutor opposed this request, citing Kandelis’s recent history of violent crimes – two incidents occurring within approximately 15 days of each other.

Did you know? – Road rage incidents are increasingly common globally, often escalating from verbal altercations to physical violence. Lithuania, like many countries, has specific laws addressing aggressive driving behaviors.

Concerns Over Behavior and Compliance

The court expressed significant concerns regarding Kandelis’s willingness to abide by legal requirements.The judgment indicated that Kandelis “is not always inclined to comply with the requirements of the law, he even deliberately ignores them, does not assess the possible consequences, is indifferent to them.” This assessment led the court to reject the proposal for sureties and maintain the imprisonment sentence.

Despite these concerns, kandelis maintains he is actively working to correct his behavior, attending sessions with psychologists. His life partner corroborated this claim during testimony in court.

Financial Penalties and Legal Framework

Along with the prison sentence, Kandelis is required to pay EUR 500 in non-pecuniary damages to the victim and EUR 1,100 to cover the victim’s legal representation costs. The actions fall under the Lithuanian Penal Code, wich stipulates penalties – ranging from community service to up to two years imprisonment – for behavior that demonstrates disrespect, threats, vandalism, or disruption of public order.

Pro tip – In many legal systems,admitting guilt can sometimes lead to a reduced sentence,but it doesn’t guarantee leniency,especially with a prior criminal record.

ably, Kandelis was awarded the medal of the Order “For Services to Lithuania” in 2003, recognizing past contributions to the country. However, this past honor did not influence the court’s decision.

The judgment is not yet final and remains subject to appeal. During his imprisonment,Kandelis will be required to either secure employment or register with the Employment Service and participate in a behavior correction program.

Reader question – Do you think a person’s past achievements should be considered during sentencing for a new crime? Share your thoughts.

Why: A. Kandelis, a Lithuanian dancer, was sentenced to prison due to a road rage incident and a history of violent crimes.
Who: A. Kandelis, the Lithuanian dancer, was the defendant. Inga Ramanauskaitė, a court representative, provided a statement. Donalda Simonovienė, Kandelis’s life partner, testified on his behalf.
What: Kandelis was sentenced to one year and three months in prison, plus financial penalties, after blocking a vehicle