Lithuania denies entry to 309 people under new EU border system

VILNIUS - Lithuania has denied entry to 309 individuals on security grounds since October, when phased implementation of a new European Union border control system began, the State Border Guard Service said on Monday.

Giedrius Misutis, a spokesperson for the State Border Guard Service, told Reuters that of the eight European Union-wide criteria for refusing entry, two are specifically linked to security concerns.

"Under the reason formally stated as 'considered to pose a threat to the public policy, internal security, public health, or international relations of one or more EU member states,' 95 individuals have been denied entry since the gradual implementation of the entry-exit system in October," he said.

"There is another security-related reason, which applies to 'persons for whom an alert has been issued for the purpose of refusing entry or who are included in the Schengen Information System or a national register.' (...) There were 214 such individuals in our case," Misutis stated.

Including other non-security-related reasons, a total of 836 individuals have been denied entry into the country since October.

According to Misutis, the latter group consists of individuals whom European Union member states have already flagged as prohibited from entering the bloc.

The automated European Union Entry/Exit System officially became fully operational on Friday, replacing manual passport stamping with digital registration to streamline travel and enhance security across Europe.

Misutis noted that while Friday marked the official launch, Lithuania had implemented the system gradually, starting with its airports.

"Each member state could choose its own path. As of April 10, the system is fully operational at all land, sea, and air checkpoints, and the transition period has concluded," Misutis said.