Z letters appear on buildings, cars, church bell in Lithuania's Klaipeda

VILNIUS - Police in Lithuania's Klaipeda on Saturday received reports of symbols resembling the letter Z having appeared on a number of properties.

According to the Police Department, the reports were received between approximately 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. on Saturday.

The letter Z was painted on three cars, on the entry doors and a wall of several houses, on the windows of a pharmacy, and on billboards on one street, and then on a church bell and an information board on another street.

A pre-trial investigation into a public order offense has been opened.

The Russian army started using the letter Z as its symbol in 2022 when it launched its large-scale invasion of Ukraine.

In Lithuania, the display of symbols of Russia's war in Ukraine, such as the letters Z and V, as well as and the ribbon of Saint George, is banned and offenders face administrative liability and a fine.