Thus, R. Liubajev commented on the situation to journalists on Thursday in Dieveniškės, where, according to him, an increased number of illegal migrants is recorded.
“In response to this situation, we activated the plan of cooperation with the army and other institutions, and additional forces were deployed,” said the SBGS Commander.
The general explained that the installation of a physical barrier and surveillance systems was underway in the Gintaras Žagunis firewall section.
“We are a little surprised by the desire of Belarusians to push illegal migrants into the territory of the Republic of Lithuania right here, in this section. This stretch is well enough controlled, ensuring control here is not difficult enough. The loop neck is very well controlled. “Those illegal migrants who would arrive would definitely be detained at the border or in that neck,” R. Liubajev said.
However, according to him, the migrants themselves no longer want to go to Lithuania.
“Almost all illegal migrants who were pushed to Lithuania declared that they did not want to come to Lithuania, were brought from the Polish border and mentioned that representatives of the Belarusian law enforcement authorities had been forcibly pushed,” said the commander of the border guards.
R. Liubajev said that in other sections it has been calmer lately, but there is an activation in Dieveniškės.
According to him, it is not possible to say how many Belarusian border guards are at the border.
“It simply came to our notice then. Today, the following event was observed – with the help of a fixed monitoring system. A large enough group of Belarusian officials was visible, “Liubayev said.
The commander also explained that migrant groups near the Lithuanian border are visible by observing the section from the air.
“According to the migrants themselves, they are being brought in and pushed,” the commander said.
The general commented on the growing information that Lithuanian officials are using violence against migrants.
“We do not receive such information from Belarusian officials, we see that the regime’s media often say that migrants are beaten in the territory of the Republic of Lithuania. The goal is very clear – to discredit the border guards, Lithuania and the EU. We see that the tool is being used effectively enough by the Belarussian regime, “Liubayev commented.
He also appreciated the situation when a border dog bitten a migrant.
“Even in ordinary life, sometimes the owner can’t control the dog and that dog can bite the man. There are times when a child is torn apart. Our cynologist did not control the dog that attacked and bitten. Thank God, we did not need medical help, all illegal migrants were healthy, and they continued to march along the Lithuanian border, ”said R. Liubajevas.
According to the commander, there are not many such cases.
“There have been no recent problems or aggression on the part of Belarus or migrants. Illegal migrants are very keen to return to Belarus. “They either want to go to the Belarus-Poland border or ask and inform that they want to go to Minsk and return to their country of origin,” the general said.
He described the situation as calmer but more tense than last week, as Belarusian border guards are still pushing migrants.
“They are bringing illegal migrants to our borders, trying to push them in various areas. “We first saw the situation in the southern flank, now in the northern flank, and in this firewall, for example,” said R. Liubajev.
“We have just seen an increase in those groups in some areas. “Fellow Polish border guards say that although some of the illegal migrants have been smuggled into the depths of Belarus from checkpoints, a significant number of people remain at the border and checkpoint,” the general said.
The number of illegal migrants refused entry has already exceeded 7,000, 71 were denied entry last day
The SBGS informed on Thursday morning that the number of illegal migrants from Belarus who had not been admitted to Lithuania from the beginning of August exceeded 7,000 on Wednesday.
During the last day, from Wednesday midnight to Thursday, the border guards did not allow 71 migrants to enter Lithuania from the prohibited places from Belarus.
On Tuesday SBGS officials did not admit 65 migrants from Belarus, 90 on Monday, 126 on Sunday, 114 on Saturday, 144 on Friday and 110 on Thursday.
There were no foreigners admitted to Lithuania for humanitarian reasons on Wednesday.
Since the beginning of August, 163 people have been admitted to Lithuania for humanitarian reasons.
In the morning, one shot was fired at the border on the Belarusian side near the Lazdijai district. In the evening, 3 signal rockets were fired in the neighboring country near Varėna district, and one near Druskininkai municipality.
Since the beginning of August, when border guards acquired the right to refuse entry to foreigners from Belarus, 7040 have not entered Lithuania (midnight data from Wednesday to Thursday).
Lithuanian border guards and soldiers assisting them professionally during the migrant crisis lost their service weapons at the border last day.
Border control on the Lithuanian side is intensified.
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