Lithuanian Man Denies Murder Charge in Flat Stabbing

0:00It's March 30th. This is Europe News Today, powered by AI bringing you what matters across the continent. A 51-year-old Lithuanian man named Ruslanas, Kovalkovus, is charged with murdering another Lithuanian 49-year-old Rolandas Kvederis in. A ported down flat last Thursday night, Kvederis died from seven stab wounds to his neck and lower back. Kovalkovus told the court it was pure self-defense. He grabbed the knife during a fight to save himself. Police got the call from a witness in the flat, who had his daughter dial emergency services because of his limited English. They arrived to find Kvederis in a pool of blood on the hallway floor after what detectives called a frenzy attack. The tip of the knife was even stuck in a bone in his neck. Both men had history there. Kvederis owned the place but had been living elsewhere on bail conditions for about a year, subletting to Kovalkovus. Recently, he came back to manding Kovalkovus' leave, which sparked verbal abuse in a kitchen bra, according to the suspect's police interview.

1:02In Lisbon, magistrate's court on Monday, Kovalkovus dressed in a grey tracksuit and speaking through an interpreter, flat out denied the murder. Charge. His lawyer pushed for bail, noting Kvederis' violent past against people and animals, framing it as a kill or be killed moment. But the judge said no, reminding him and custody have made his ongoing immigration issues with the home office. Kovalkovus faces his next hearing, be a video link at Kregovon magistrate's court on April 24, which trials potentially dragged out to 20. 28. Due to bears' distress in Northern Ireland, self-defense claims like this always stirred debate on who's really protecting who in tight living spots.