Kaunas
On April 24, 1985, a search was carried out in the Kaunas apartment of the soldier, Juozas Kazalupskas, his storage shed and collective garden. The search was carried out by Militia Officer Vasiliauskas, Investigator Kavaliauskas, KGB Agents Matulevičius and another who did not present his credentials. Official witnesses were Mr. and Mrs. Vinuikov. Seized during the search were: Issue number 10 of the underground publication Rūpintoje! is, (The Pensive Christ), photographs of the priests Alfonsas Svarinskas and Sigitas Tamkevičius; pamphlets and books: "Believe and Be Silent", "Prophecies According to the LSSR Constitution", "The Associate Pastor of Kražiai and Martyr, S. Rimkus", a notebook, separate typewritten pages, manuscripts of J. Kazalupskas, a starter's pistol...
Presenting themselves to form the search, the officials stated that the search was being done on suspicion of theft, but finishing the search, they acknowledged that they were looking for printing apparatus and underground literature. Chekist Matulevičius was interested in knowing whether Kazalupskas had tape recordings of sermons by Svarinskas, Tamkevičius, Jonas Kauneckas, Petras Našlėnas, et al. Kazalupskas refused to sign the search report. The search lasted five hours.
Kaunas
May 16, 1985, Kazalupskas was questioned at Kaunas KGB headquarters. Interrogator Kazakevičius informed the one being interrogated of the case against him. The chekist was particularly displeased by the following excerpts from manuscripts seized during the search: "The atheists have developed so many criminals that they do not fit into our prisons; if you want to jail a criminal, you have to know somebody...", was the personal complaint of one school principal to Kazalupskas.
On May 6, 1983, as Kazalupskas was trying to find out what the innocent priests were being tried for, responsible officials of the Vilnius Office of Internal Affairs advised him, "In the Soviet Union, truth is worthless; there is no truth, so don't look for it!" At the same time, on June 24, Prosecutor Bakučionis of the Lithuanian Republic Prosecutors' Office confirmed this, saying, "There has not been, there is not and there will not be any truth!"
Chekist Kazakevičius, after reading from a manuscript, "The best children of the nation have placed their offering on the nation's altar, but the cup is not full; our sacrifice is needed also... And today there are people who courageously stride along the honorable way of Christ to today's Golgotha, where they sacrifice their freedom, youth and even their life for God and a brighter future for the homeland," angrily demanded of Kazalupskas what kind of brighter future he wanted. The chekist attempted to accuse Kazalupskas of collecting signatures for the release of the sentenced priests, that he himself had drafted the texts of declarations, etc., demanded that he tell him where he had obtained the underground publication Rupintojel is number 10, when he had become acquainted with the convict priests and begun to collaborate in their criminal activities.
Kazalupskas refused to answer any questions, arguing that the search had been made on the pretext of looking for stolen goods but they had taken religious literature and his personal notes, and that questions were raised during the interrogation regarding his religious convictions --a procedure forbidden in various international agreements which have been signed by the Soviet Union.
Chekist Kazakevičius threatened to throw Kazalupskas into the KGB cellars. Picking up the criminal code, he tried to apply various articles. Finally, he suggested that Kazalupskas think seriously about his own future and that of his three children.
Ending the interrogaton, Chekist Kazakevičius demanded that Kazalupskas not say anything to anyone about the interrogation which had taken place.
On November 20, 1985, Kazalupskas was again interrogated in the offices of the Kaunas KGB. He was questioned by Chekist
Matulevičius, with the assistance of Kazakevičius. Matulevičius declared that Kazalupskas is accused of ant i-Soviet activity according to the Criminal Code, Article 68, Id, and he presented a whole list of accusations: writing and taking calumniating documents to Moscow, to the highest levels of Soviet government (petitions to free Father Svarinskas and Father Tamkevičius were taken to Moscow with signatures of the faithful -- Ed. Note), while in uniform, in school, he had given anti-Soviet lectures, he had signed libelous statements, he keeps anti-Soviet literature at home, etc.
In response to the accusations, Kazalupskas calmly explained that if he did not believe in God, he would surely have rotted in prison as a criminal, that he could go to jail, even now, but only for God and the nation's ideals.
When the man under interrogation asked them to prove his alleged anti-Soviet crimes or to find in his manuscripts a single anti-Soviet or political sentence, the KGB agents rummaged through the material seized in the course of the search, but were unable to come up with anything specific. Matulevičius demanded that Kazalupskas promise not to take such materials to Moscow any longer, and if need be, would go directly to the KGB. The prisoner replied, "I have taken such material and if need be, I wi11 take it in the future."
The chekist tried to convince Kazalupskas that religion is free and not persecuted by anyone. Kazalupskas showed a whole list of contrary events, thereby proving the untruthfulness of KGB agent Matulevičius' statement:
"The faithful, out of their own funds and with permission of the government, built themselves the Church of the Queen of Peace in Klaipėda; the atheists seized it and converted it into a philharmonic hall. The faithful of Gargždai have been asking permission for several years to raise the roof of the church since there is as lack of air, but the local government will not allow it. In Ryliškė, the faithful, for lack of a church, prayed in a private home but the atheists dispersed them. The faithful put up a lean-to in the cemetery covered with polyethelyne. The atheists tore this down and dispersed the faithful. In the Rayon of Telšiai, at the edge of the Rainiai Woods, a cross used to stand. One night, some soldiers blew it up.
"Can there be a greater persecution of religion when even the army and weapons are used?" asked Kazalupskas.
During the interrogation, Chekest Matulevičius threatened Kazalupskas with imprisonment several times. When the man under unterrogation demanded that they return objects seized in the raid, the chekist replied that the articles would not be returned, but when Kazalupskas went on trial, they would incorporate the articles in his file.
Gargždai (Klaipėda Rayon)
In January, 1986, KGB agents came from Vilnius and for four hours interrogated the associate pastor of the parish of Gargždai, Father Antanas Šeškevičius. Father Šeškevičius was accused of working with the Chronicle of the Catholic Church in Lithuania. Allegedly, it is thanks to him that statements by the faithful get into this publication. The chekists threatened to bring criminal charges against Father Šeškevičius.
Vilkaviškis
On April 25, 1986, Antanas Kelmelis, a worker at the Vilkaviškis Metal Factory, was summoned from the factory. Two officials who did not give their names accused him of burglarizing a newsstand, and insisted that they accompany him to his home, where a search would be carried out. In front of the home (Statybinikg 4-3), five men in civilian clothes were already waiting. Kelmei is was presented with a search warrant. Directing the search was Investigator Kašolaitis of the criminal division. When some packs of writing paper were found in the desk, Kašolaitis stated that the KGB would have to called in. Immediately, Vilkaviškis security agents Masalskis, čėsna and Kanonenka showed up. The chekists demanded that he hand over his typewriter. During the search, they seized six packs of writing paper, a pack of carbon paper, the Chronicle of the Catholic Church in Lithuania, about two hundred letters and addresses, and books: In the Chekist's Clutches, In Soviet Prisons, etc.
After the search, which lasted approximately four hours, Kelmelis was taken to Vilkaviškis KGB headquarters and interrogated. The security agents were interested in knowing where he had obtained the articles seized during the search. Letting him go home, they promised that in the future, they would be meeting with him more than once.
Vilkaviškis
On May 19, 1986, at KGB headquarters in Vilnius, Interrogator Stepočinskas questioned Vilkaviškis resident Mrs. Dana Kelmelienė. The questions concerned articles seized in the course of a search carried out in her apartment April 25. (Where did she get this or that? What did she use it for? Whom did she know? Whom did she associate with?, etc.) Also questioned was her husband, Antanas Kelmelis. Both Kelmelises were interrogated the following day also. Mrs. Kelmelienė did not sign the interrogation record.
Vilkaviškis
On April 24, 1986, a search was carried out in the apartment of P. Blažukas, a resident of Vilkaviškis. Seized during the search were: a typewriter, carbon paper, books copied by typewriter: How They Shot Us to Death, Memories of a Conscript, etc. That day and the following, Blažukas was interrogated at Vilkaviškis KGB headquarters where they threatened to bring criminal proceedings against him.
Telšiai
In April and May, 1986, the KGB interrogated children and youths who went regularly to the Cathedral of Telšiai. The aim was to recruit informers from among them, to inform on Father Vincas Veiavičius, who in the words of the chekists, is selling information abroad. The new security chief is trying to charm youth into doing the work of Judas. "You may go to church; you will be required only to tell the security police everything that goes on in church," a chekist explained to the youths.
Kaunas
On May 22, 1986, a raid was carried out on the home of engineer Algirdas Patackas, who lives on Petrauskio gatvė, Kaunas. In charge of the raid was KGB agent Aleinikov. During the search, some books were taken, among them, The Region of Šeiniai-Suvalkai , and some manuscripts. Found in the room was a wooden cross decorated with Lithuanian symbols, which the KGB also took. The search lasted three hours.
The same day, a search was also carried out at the home of Antanas Patackas (Algirdas' father), formerly an instructor at the Agricultural Academy, living in Žemoji gatvė. Seized during the search were these books: Father Ambraziejus Jakavonis, The Region of Seiniai-Suvalkai , Motiejus Gustaitis, Archbishop Reinys - 100 Years, The Blessed Mykolas Giedrai t is, various handwritten and typed notes, a pocket diary with various entries, an Erika typewriter, etc. The search lasted about six hours. In charge were Major Pilelis and Col. česnavičius. This was the second search at the home of Patackas. The first had occurred in April, 1977, after he had been discharged from work for contacts with Lithuanians in Byelorussia. Seized during the search were: Memoirs of Petras Klimas and History of Lithuania by V. Sruoga.
On April 29, KGB agent Urbonas tried to prove to Patackas, who had been summoned to Vilnius, that he was the author of Lithuania Separated.
On July 29, Algirdas Patackas, who had come to Vilnius KGB headquarters for questioning, was arrested. His wife received notice that Patackas was charged according to Par. 199 of the Criminal Code.
Kaunas
On May 22, 1986, KGB agents headed by Aleinikov, raided the apartment of Paulius Martinaitis, Širvintų gatvė. A raid was carried out also on the home of Petras Kimbris of Kaunas, from whom the following books were seized: Lithuania Separated, Eastern Lithuania, Parts i and //.On May 23, Chekist Aleinikov showed up at the home of Miss Adelė Urbonaitė, on Kapsų gatvė, together with another KGB agent. Lacking a search warrant, he deceitfully stated that he would not carry out a search, but he took from the apartment two typewriters, and the following books: Father Ambraziejus Jakavonis, Pascal's Pensees (Lithuanian translation), A. Blum's School for Prayer, The Little Spring by the Railroad, etc.
G a r l i a v a (Kaunas Rayon)
On May 22, 1986, KGB agents raided the apartment of Arūnas Rekašius on Ramybės gatvė, in Garliava. Rekašius is accused of disseminating anti-Soviet slogans, and of raising the Lithuanian flag on February 16 (Lithuanian Independence Day -- Trans. Note). The chekists demanded that he turn over the typewriter he had used in reproducing the statements. During the search, they found none of the articles they were looking for. The following day, May 23, Rekašius was interrogated at Kaunas KGB headquar ters.
Garliava
On May 22, 1986, a raid was carried out also on the apartment of Mindaugas Babonas of Garliava. They seized religious books and memoirs written in his father's hand.
Garliava
On May 22, 1986, a raid was carried out on the home of Saulius Kelpšas, living on Pažangos gatvė, in Garliava, "n charge of the raid was Militia Captain Krasauskas. Participating in the raid were three security police who did not give their names, and KGB agent Petrauskas. Seized during the search were: a considerable amount of religious literature reproduced by typewriter, about one hundred tapes with recorded music, etc. After the raid, Kelpšas was hauled off to KGB headquarters in Kaunas, and interrogated, with the interrogation continuing the following day, May 23.
Kaunas
On May 23, 1986, Miss Aldona Raižytė was apprehended on the street and taken to Kaunas KGB headquarters. Miss Raižytė was questioned in connection with the search which had been carried out in the apartment of Saulius Kelpšas. That same day, security agents also interrogated Kaunas resident, Miss G. Bružaitė, and forced her to admit that she was acquainted with Kelpšas.
Omsukchan (Region of Magadan)
On May 14, 1986, a raid was carried out on the dormitory room of Antanas Terleckas, in exile and living in Omsukchan. The raid was carried out by Vilnius security agent CesnaviCius, and two chekists from Magadan. The security agents mentioned that criminal proceedings have been brought against some woman who had sent Terleckas excerpts of the book In the Chekist's dutches.
Confiscated during the raid were seven letters of Terleckas written to people living in Lithuania. At the end of the search, Česnavičius declared, "I'm getting ready to have you moved."
