At least 125 detained in latest attempt to cross into Lithuania illegally from Belarus

MADRID, 29 Ago. (EUROPA PRESS) -

Lithuanian border authorities arrested 125 people trying to cross illegally into the country from Belarus on Sunday, marking the largest number of migrants arrested since the beginning of the year.

In recent weeks, the influx and attempts to cross the border have been growing, so much so that record numbers have been reached, with 109 arrests at the end of July and 124 already last week.

These latest figures are reminiscent of those recorded during the height of the migration crisis last year. For Lithuania, Belarus is now directing these people towards its borders, as over the weekend the Latvian authorities "have not had to return illegal migrants".

"This shows that the Belarusian services, which control the influx of migrants, have left this border in peace and are directing the main flow to Lithuania," the Lithuanian State Border Guard Service said.

Since mid-2021, Lithuania has tightened its immigration policies due to the large flow of people who have been trying to cross from Belarus. For the Government of Vilnius, Minsk has used migration to pressure the European authorities in retaliation for the sanctions that were imposed on it.