Lithuanian Transport Minister does not yet see the need for a full ban.
Павялічыць
Photo: LookByMedia
In Lithuania, amidst concerns for citizen safety, proposals are increasingly being voiced to restrict or even completely ban bus connections with Belarus. The reason for this is the threats of detentions, possible recruitment, and the use of foreigners by the Belarusian regime for propaganda purposes, writes Delfi.
Currently, no fewer than 12 buses depart daily from Vilnius to Minsk.
Latvia is already preparing stricter measures. A project for a complete ban on bus trips to Belarus and Russia is being discussed in the country. Latvian authorities explain the initiative by the need to protect citizens from possible threats from authoritarian regimes.
According to Viktorija Čmilytė-Nielsen (former Speaker of Parliament, chairwoman of the Liberal Movement), Belarus uses people as political hostages. She recalled that Alexander Lukashenka’s regime has repeatedly detained foreign citizens and then used them in political negotiations and propaganda campaigns.
Laurynas Kasčiūnas, leader of the conservative party of Lithuania, believes that the Baltic countries should act in concert. “If Latvia strengthens restrictions and Lithuania does not, we could become the weak link,” the politician warned.
At the same time, Lithuanian Transport Minister Eugenijus Sabutis does not yet see the need for a complete ban. According to him, the number of routes between Lithuania and Belarus has already been reduced by almost half, which, in the ministry’s opinion, is sufficient to control the situation.
“As long as the relevant services do not recommend other measures, we see no reason to restrict people’s freedom of movement,” the minister stated.
However, the authorities’ concern is growing amid new cases of using detained foreigners in Belarusian propaganda. In particular, Belarusian state media previously showed the detained Lithuanian Miroslav Trotskis, who was accused of espionage.