State Of Emergency At Lithuanian - Belarusian Border To Be Extended

Threats of new migrant attacks remain.

Lithuanians see the need to extend the state of emergency, in force because of the migration crisis on the border of Lithuania with Belarus and the surrounding area.

This was stated by Chairman of the Seimas Committee on National Security and Defense Laurynas Kasčiūnas on January 2.

"If we give up the emergency regime, which has been effective in deterring the flow of illegal immigrants, it may be a signal of new opportunities for them to cross the border, so this regime, despite the stabilization of the situation, must be kept," said the parliamentarian.

"I have not heard about any discontent, misunderstanding in connection with the application of the state of emergency," said Laurynas Kasčiūnas, reports TASS.

The state of emergency declared by the Seimas in connection with the worsening situation of illegal migration came into force on November 10, 2021 and ends on January 15. It is in force in the border zone and at a distance of 5 km from it deep into the territory of Lithuania, as well as in places of accommodation of illegal migrants from Asia and Africa, who entered into the republic through Belarus.

It is possible to enter the areas of the state of emergency only with special passes. Illegal migrants in reception centers cannot use electronic communication means and the Internet, an exception is made only for addressing official instances.