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According to the latest data, a total of 507 illegal immigrants from Belarus tried to enter Lithuania this year; this number is more than six times higher than in all of 2020. Last year, 81 of those foreigners were arrested. In 2019, border guards captured 46 illegal immigrants, and in 2018, 104.
Among those detained on the border with Belarus this year is the highest number of Iraqi citizens or foreigners who came forward: 328. Also detained 46 Iran, 42 Syria, 39 Belarus, 17 Russia, 11 Turkey, 10 Sri Lanka, 6 Tajikistan, 3 Afghanistan, 2 Yemen and Egypt each and 1 Somali citizen or self-proclaimed person.
“We really have evidence that Belarusian border officials are involved in this process, that is a fact. It is an organized activity, a certain scheme, well organized, planned. This is a lot of money, because transporting a person costs around 15 thousand. dollars. So apparently it is a lucrative crime that involves the regime and the officials themselves, “said the minister on Delfi TV’s Events of the week.
“So far, we have no indication that Lithuanian citizens are participating in this criminal scheme, but we are monitoring the situation and migrants are being interrogated, and operational intelligence is being carried out,” he added.
According to the minister, Lithuania had not faced such large flows of illegal immigrants before: “This is a threat to our immigration system, because we have never really faced such huge flows. If we compare this year with last year, the number of illegal immigrants has increased fivefold. “
According to A. Bilotaitė, smuggling by train has also increased significantly, by around 70 percent.
Visos IS problem
Although there has already been talk of declaring a state of emergency, the minister says the situation is under control so far.
“So far, we can coordinate the situation quite effectively and with existing capabilities, but if we see that the situation is complicated, of course, we will declare an emergency situation,” said A. Bilotaitė.
Agnė Bilotaitė
According to her, this is a problem not only for Lithuania, but also for the entire European Union (EU), since the target of most immigrants is other countries besides Lithuania.
“This is not a Lithuanian problem, it is an EU-wide problem. That is why both the Prime Minister and I presented the situation on the Belarusian border to the EU Council of Interior Ministers and expressed expectations and requests for help. The need is primarily financial and expert. Right now, we are establishing a specific need and how that help could reach Lithuania, ”said A. Bilotaitė.
According to her, the European Border and Coast Guard Agency FRONTEX has already sent 6 officials to monitor the situation. [pagalbos] 30 FRONTEX officials will arrive in Lithuania in mid-July to help strengthen border security.
According to the minister, the goal is to cover the entire border with Belarus as soon as possible with modern surveillance systems, which are currently only 38%. border. According to A. Bilotaitė, this would not just be a physical fence.
“It just came to our knowledge then. The most effective solutions include a surveillance system, detection and, when necessary, a physical fence. As for what we have to talk to experts about, the fence could work morally, but it is easy to do. overcome: in 2-3 minutes you can overcome and enter the Republic of Lithuania ”, said A. Bilotaitė in the program“ Events of the week ”.
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