After Poland, Lithuania has now completed its fence on the border with Belarus. The four meter high barbed wire barrier is intended to prevent illegal border crossings from the neighboring country. The fence runs for approximately 550 kilometers along the 700 kilometer long border.
Illegal immigration to the EU country has risen sharply this year. About 4,200 people, mostly from the Middle East and Africa, crossed the border from Belarus to Lithuania. The West accuses Belarus and its ally Russia of manipulating refugee movements and considers this part of “hybrid” warfare. The government in Minsk rejects the accusation.
Lithuanian Prime Minister Ingrida Simonyte announced that her government would continue its strict immigration policy. At the same time, Simonyte also clarified: “It is technically impossible to build a barrier along the entire border because it runs through lakes, rivers and swamps.”
Accusation of wrongful rejection of asylum seekers
The government in Vilnius was accused of illegally rejecting asylum seekers, so-called pushbacks. On Saturday, Lithuanian border guards refused to allow 125 migrants to cross the border. This was the highest number since the beginning of the year.
Source: Krone
I’m Wayne Wickman, a professional journalist and author for Today Times Live. My specialty is covering global news and current events, offering readers a unique perspective on the world’s most pressing issues. I’m passionate about storytelling and helping people stay informed on the goings-on of our planet.
