The Drąsius Kedys case has tapped into Lithuanians’ cynicism and righteous indignation with the state of their country’s criminal defense system, inspiring protests in favor of what are speculated to be vigilante killings. The sign in the photo translates to "Drąsius Kedys, daughter protector." Photo by Nathan Greenhalgh.

VILNIUS — Lithuania’s trial of the century could be upon us — that is, of course, unless Drąsius Kedys is captured alive by police.

On Friday, the Vilnius Regional Prosecutor’s Office formally pressed charges against Andrius Ūsas for the sexual molestation, although not rape of Kedys’ three-year-old daughter. Ūsas says he is innocent. The court proceedings are scheduled to begin next week.

Whatever the prosecutor’s decision was, the case was going to provoke protest, as the case has brought the problems of the small Baltic country’s criminal justice system under harsh scrutiny.

This decision sent roughly 50 protesters to the streets in Kaunas Monday , where Kedys lived to the streets, asking why it took a year and a half, a inquest ordered by the president into how the case was handled by investigators  and two possibly vigilante murders for prosecutors to charge somebody. The protesters, many of whom could be called supporters of Kedys alleged vigilante killings, also point to the fact that Ūsas was a relatively well-off business owner, given the country’s culture of bribery among law enforcement officials, delayed this.

Can the wealthy can really buy justice in Lithuania, no matter how heinous the crime?

This is what Drasius Kedys alleged on his website www.pedofiliai,com before it was taken down and he disappeared. He remains wanted on an Interpol warrant, and police have no new information about his whereabouts.

Kedys, 37 years old of Kaunas, is implicated by police in the murder of District Court Judge Jonas Furmanavičius and Violeta Naruševičienė, the sister of his former live-in girlfriend in October. Possible motives could be the belief that his four-year-old daughter was sexually abused by Ūsas, Furmanavičius and another man, or frustration with a bitter three-year-long custody battle with Kedys’ ex-girlfriend Laima Stankūnaitė, the mother of Kedys’ daughter.

Too little?

In addition to corruption, the case has also brought into question how willing the Lithuanian government is to protect its residents’ children from pedophiles.

Since he is being charged with sexual molestation, if Ūsas is found guilty he will face a stiff fine and up to two years in jail, a far lighter sentence than he would receive for the same crime in many countries.