The criminal case involving the assault of basketball coach Darius Songaila has shifted following the unauthorized publication of sensitive investigative materials on a Facebook account attributed to the defendant, Artūras Bernotas.
The criminal case, which has not yet been examined on its merits at the Šiaulių apylinkės teismas, took an unexpected turn. A large portion of the pre-trial investigation material was published on a Facebook account bearing the name Artūras Bernotas.
The leaked documents included interrogation protocols of D. Songaila, a transcript of a General Assistance Center call, descriptions of police body camera and video surveillance footage, a forensic medical specialist’s conclusion, documents regarding A. Bernotas’ interrogation, and other investigative files. The material was shared not only on this account but also distributed across various public Facebook groups.
The account author presented his own version of the conflict with D. Songaila, accused the basketball coach of lying, and claimed that the coach kicked his dog. The profile also featured a photomontage depicting D. Songaila with an axe embedded in his head and a bloody nose, alongside a text claiming who allegedly injured D. Songaila with a chain.
The publication coincided with ongoing procedural delays in the courtroom. On Friday, the Šiauliai rūmai branch of the court had scheduled to begin examining the criminal case involving the injury of Šiauliai men’s basketball team head coach D. Songaila Lrytas.
However, defendant Artūras Bernotas failed to attend, sending an email just before the session stating that he was ill. Because he failed to submit a required special medical certificate following a previous absence on September 15, the court issued an order to have A. Bernotas escorted by police officers to the next hearing scheduled for November 6.
A. Bernotas is accused of intentionally striking the sports coach in the face with a fist in a public place on May 19, 2026, out of hooliganistic motives, thereby causing minor health impairment.
According to pre-trial data, the incident began when another unleashed dog without a muzzle ran toward the dog being walked by the sports coach, and a conflict ensued when the owner intervened. For such a criminal act, the offense carries a potential prison sentence of up to five years.
