Latvia to Extend Special Regime Near Belarusian Territory for Another Six Months
Currently, the enhanced border security regime is in effect until December 31 of this year. The Ministry of the Interior explains that the actual pressure of illegal immigration remains unchanged and high.
Although the fence built on the Latvia-Belarus border serves as a barrier for migrants attempting to illegally cross the state border at any point, there are still cases of damage to the fence infrastructure and border crossings by migrants.
The Ministry emphasizes that the war initiated by Russia and openly supported by Belarus against Ukraine is an additional risk factor and a possible motivation for Belarus to continue attempts to destabilize the situation at the state border with Latvia.
It is reported that a total of 11,847 people attempting to enter the EU were caught at the Latvian-Belarusian border this year. The number of those not caught is unknown. However, it is known that for humanitarian reasons, 31 refugees were allowed to cross the border.
Last year, the number of illegal immigrants was 5,388, and for humanitarian reasons, 26 people were accepted into the country.
The enhanced control regime is established in Ludza and the parishes of the Ludza region, in Kraslava and the parishes of the Kraslava region, in the Augšdaugava region, in Daugavpils, and in the Kaunata parish of the Rezekne region.