Lithuania–Belarus border crisis: Minister calls for greater powers for border guards

The debate over the powers of Lithuanian border guards has intensified following an attack by migrants at the border with Belarus and legal proceedings against an officer who fired at a smuggler’s vehicle.

Lithuanian Defence Minister Robertas Kaunas said border guards should be allowed to use greater force to protect their own safety and the state.

As reported by LRT.lt, Kaunas said: “We have reached a point where officers sometimes hesitate to use firearms simply because they know it could lead to lengthy legal proceedings.”

Border incidents

In Lithuania, proceedings are underway against border guard Karolis Ilgevičijus, who is accused of murder and abuse of office.

The case concerns an incident in June 2024, when border guards near the Belarusian border spotted a Volkswagen Passat whose driver failed to stop when ordered and attempted to flee.

Karolis Ilgevičijus opened fire on the vehicle, and a second shot fatally wounded the driver. Around 4,500 packs of smuggled cigarettes were later found in the car.

Tensions have escalated further following a new incident in which, after several people were detained, another 20 migrants emerged from a tunnel and attacked border guards. According to media reports, one officer was forcibly dragged toward Belarusian territory.

The interior minister said he was concerned about the border service’s leadership and inadequate communication, as he was initially told only that a tunnel had been discovered, while he learned about the migrant attack from the media.

Head of state border guard service resigns

Following the incident, the head of Lithuania’s State Border Guard Service (VSAT), Rustamas Liubajevas, resigned.

Interior Minister Martinas Katelinas said at a press conference that Liubajevas made the decision to step down himself.

“No, I really did not contribute to it; it was the commander’s personal decision,” he said. The minister added that General Rustamas Liubajevas had personally informed him of the decision.