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Prelate Konstantinas Olšauskas: the tragedy of a public figure

Personalities, Biršton

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While Prelate Konstantinas Olšauskas was healing in Birštonas, the remains of Stanislava Danilovičiūtė-Ustijanauskienė were discovered on Vytautas Hill. The woman was strangled. Later that year, the apartment of Prelate K. Olšauskas in Kaunas' Saulės Palace was searched. He quickly became the primary suspect in Stanisława's murder. Olšauskas was arrested and transferred to Kaunas hard labour jail. The very following day, he wrote a letter to the Prime Minister, pleading for his release "in return for a promise not to leave and a guarantee of his property". In the letter, K. Olšauskas recalled his contributions "for the sake of the nation" and complained about his poor health.

 Olšauskas was known to the Lithuanian public in the inter-war period as a man who had made a significant contribution to Lithuanian education and independence. It is not surprising, therefore, that the press took a keen interest in the case and did not spare him any malicious words.   

The accused, K. Olšauskas, and witnesses claimed to have seen a stranger in Birštonas on the day of the murder. According to the documents, the court did not investigate this version. The lawyer asked the court to question additional witnesses, but this did not change the decision. The court stuck strictly to the same version of the case - that Olšauskas was guilty.

K. Olšauskas' life and the tragic nature of his fate strengthen the doubts about the fairness of the court's verdict in the Birštonas case.

The persistent Samogitian sought out the real murderer and endeavoured to redeem himself. It is believed he was on the route of someone. After nearly two years in prison, K. Olšauskas was released. He was 64 years old, with tuberculosis and heart problems. His financial situation was also poor, with his property taken and his sister Domicelė Dirmantienė appointed as administrator. 

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