Justice for Hind Rajab: HRF Appeals Lithuania’s Refusal to Probe "Vampire Empire" Soldier Sean Gor

On 9 April 2026, the Prosecutor General’s Office of Lithuania issued a decision refusing to initiate a pre-trial investigation into Israeli soldier Sean Gor, following a complaint submitted by the Hind Rajab Foundation (HRF).

HRF will appeal this decision and continue to pursue accountability through all available legal avenues.

The complaint filed by HRF stems from a structured and detailed investigation into the activities of the “Vampire Empire” company, a unit within the 52nd Armoured Battalion of the 401st Armoured Armored Brigade.

Sean Gor member of the “Vampire Empire” company — identified by HRF among the 24 suspects linked to the killing of Hind Rajab.

Who is Sean Gor?

Sean Gor is an Israeli citizen, currently studying at the University of Health Sciences I (LSMU) in Kaunas, Lithuania.

He was deployed to Gaza since the beginning of the war in October 2023 and remained there until at least August 2024. He served with the Vampire Empire Company of the 52nd Armoured Battalion, which operates under the 401st Armoured Brigade.

On 15 August 2024, Sean Gor posted his “end-of-service” album, marking the completion of his two years and eight months of military service, stating that he had been deployed in Gaza for the past ten months. This confirms his presence in Gaza throughout the conflict and his service with the unit implicated in multiple serious incidents.

What is he accused of?

During his deployment, Gor’s unit played a central role in the ground invasion of Gaza, including Gaza City and Rafah. Its operational footprint corresponds directly with some of the most destructive and significant incidents of the war.

HRF identified four major incidents involving the Vampire Empire Company and potentially Gor personally:

• The destruction of Palestine Square, Gaza City, in December 2023

• The murder of Hind Rajab, her family and two paramedics, Tel al-Hawa, Gaza City, on 29 January 2024

• The raid and destruction of UNRWA’s headquarters, Al-Rimal, Gaza City, in January-February 2024

• The attack and siege of Al Shifa Medical Complex, Al-Rimal, Gaza City, in March-April 2024

HRF submitted that these actions of the Vampire Empire Company may amount to war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide.

The Killing of Hind Rajab: A Horrific Crime

At the heart of the case lies the killing of Hind Rajab, a five-year-old child, alongside members of her family and two paramedics.

The evidence establishes that:

- The attack took place on 29 January 2024 in Tel al-Hawa

- The Rajab car was subjected to sustained fire for several hours

- An ambulance dispatched to rescue Hind, in coordination with Israeli authorities, was also targeted

- Armored units from the 401st Brigade, the 52nd Battalion, and the Vampire Empire Company were operating in the area, a few meters away from Hind’s car

HRF has already filed an Article 15 submission to the International Criminal Court and started filing complaints before domestic courts, including a complaint against Israeli-Argentinian citizen Itay Cukierkopf. HRF is currently preparing complaints in several other countries.

A Decision That Raises Fundamental Legal Concerns

The refusal to initiate an investigation was primarily justified by the Prosecutor General on the grounds of insufficient evidence directly linking Gor to specific criminal acts and practical limitations in exercising universal jurisdiction. HRF strongly disputes this reasoning: pre-trial investigations exist precisely to establish individual responsibility, and requiring full proof at this stage undermines the purpose of criminal investigation. Furthermore, Gor’s presence in Lithuania creates a legal obligation for authorities to act. Having incorporated the principles of universal jurisdiction into its Criminal Code, Lithuania has extended its jurisdiction to alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity committed in Belarus and Ukraine. Alleged crimes in Palestine deserve the same legal scrutiny. Since the confidential complaint was filed, Gor has deleted evidence related to his deployment to Gaza. HRF has archived the material using forensic tools to preserve it for ongoing legal action.

HRF Response: Appeal and Continued Mobilisation

The Hind Rajab Foundation will appeal this decision.

Dyab Abou Jahjah, HRF's General Director stated:

“The murder of Hind Rajab is one of the most horrific crimes of this war. We have identified 24 suspects linked to this crime, and Sean Gor is one of them. He resides in Lithuania. This creates a clear legal obligation for Lithuanian authorities to investigate his role. Justice cannot be selective, and jurisdiction cannot be ignored when the suspect is present.”

Head of Litigation Natacha Bracq added:

“The threshold for opening a pre-trial investigation is the existence of reasonable indications—not definitive proof. By requiring a level of evidence that can only be obtained through investigative powers, the decision effectively reverses the logic of criminal procedure. This is precisely why appellate review exists. We will continue to pursue justice until accountability is achieved.”

Rytis Satkauskas, managing partner at ReLex and lead attorney on the case said:

“ Statements aren’t enough—ending impunity requires clear, documented cases.”

A Broader Trajectory: From Impunity to Accountability

This development must be understood within a wider trajectory.

Across multiple jurisdictions, HRF’s work has already led to investigations, detentions, and legal proceedings. Each case contributes to building a cumulative legal architecture in which accountability becomes increasingly difficult to avoid.

HRF has identified 24 suspects in connection with the killing of Hind Rajab. This is not the end of a single case, but the beginning of a coordinated legal campaign. Each of these individuals will be pursued through all available jurisdictions where legal action is possible.

Proceedings will be initiated wherever suspects are located, travel, or hold nationality. Evidence will continue to be consolidated, expanded, and submitted. Appeals will be filed where necessary. No procedural refusal will terminate the pursuit of accountability.

Every case, including this one, will be taken to its conclusion.