Saeima extends state of emergency in municipalities bordering with Belarus

RIGA - The Saeima on Thursday extended the state of emergency in municipalities bordering with Belarus until February 10, 2023. 

The state of emergency over illegal immigration from Belarus was first declared in the municipalities of Ludza, Kraslava and Augsdaugava, as well as Daugavpils City on August 11, 2021. Later, it was repeatedly extended. 

Arguing for the extension of the emergency in border areas, the Ministry of the Interior noted that Belarus has been supporting Russia's war in Ukraine. Authorities in Lithuania and Poland have also been informing about illegal border crossings from Belarusian territory.

Latvia therefore has to continue an increased surveillance of its border with Belarus. Also, migrant traffic across Belarusian-Latvian border can intensify since Poland has completed construction of its fence on the Belarusian border and Lithuania is in the process of building a similar fence. 

As part of the hybrid attack launched by Belarusian authoritarian dictator Alexander Lukashenko, attempts have been made since last spring to push thousands of illegal migrants across the Latvian, Lithuanian and Polish borders in a bid to trigger a migrant crisis.