Latvia May Close Checkpoint On Border With Belarus

Riga may take such a step because of the inflow of illegal immigrants.

In connection with the increasing number of attempts to cross the Latvian-Belarusian border illegally, State Border Guard chief Guntis Pujāts will propose to the government to close the border crossing point in Silene.

According to Pujāts, the situation last week was probably the worst in the last three years. He noted that 892 people attempted to cross the border illegally during the week. In addition, there is a possibility that some of the migrants still managed to get into Latvia from Belarus, despite the additional resources, thrown at border security, reports BNS.

Head of the State Border Guard noted that Latvia is now a priority for the organisers of the flow of illegal migrants. According to him, Lukashenka's regime was set such a task during consultations with Moscow.

Now the National Armed Forces and the State Police are involved in border protection, and 20 Lithuanian border guards have already arrived in Latvia. A request for additional assistance to the army has also been sent.

Nevertheless, Pujāts plans to propose to the government to close the border checkpoint in Silene so that its personnel could also be involved in border protection. Then only one border checkpoint will be available on the border with Belarus - in Paternieki.

If the situation worsens, the border with Belarus may be completely closed.