Interior minister says migration protest locations risk provoking clashes

VILNIUS - Lithuanian Interior Minister Martynas Katelynas said the Vilnius city municipality acted "completely inappropriately" by issuing permits for two migration-related protests to take place next to each other.

"One can almost see malice here, when there is an attempt to bring together two hostile groups that may want to express their opinion and protest, which we all have the right to do. Of course, we must do this peacefully, but there is an attempt to turn it into a place for provocations," Katelynas told reporters on Friday.

Three migration-related protests are planned in Vilnius on October 3.

The Sienos Grupe (Border Group) action "Wake up from hate" is scheduled to take place in Lukiskes Square, while a rally against mass immigration organised by the National Unification is planned in Vincas Kudirka Square, with a counter-protest opposing it planned on the other side of the street.

Katelynas himself does not intend to participate in any of the protests.

"I hope that the organizers (...) will ensure that no provocations arise. As for the role of the Interior Ministry, we have indeed taken additional measures and strengthened security. We have as many officers as we have, I hope that we will not need all special measures, but we are prepared for all possible scenarios," he said.

More than 200 police and Public Security Service officers will work at the migration-related protest sites on Saturday.

According to the Interior Ministry, officers will ensure that participants in different protests are separated, monitor the situation and take measures to prevent possible provocations, as well as immediately respond to possible cases of violence and public order violations during the events.

Katelynas ordered the Police Department and the Public Security Service to strengthen forces in the capital and prepare for possible incidents during the migration protests.

According to him, such actions had to be taken because the Vilnius municipality moved one pro-migration protest to Vincas Kudirka Square, across the street from the location where the National Unification protest will take place.