There is tension on Latvian-Belarusian border, but no direct military threat - PM

RIGA - There is tension on the Latvian-Belarusian border, but there is no direct military threat, said Prime Minister Krisjanis Karins (New Unity) said in an interview with commercial TV3 television.

The prime minister said that the current situation is hybrid threat to Latvia when the neighboring country is using citizens of the third country to pose threat.

The politician did not promise journalists free access to the border area due to security threats, but said that border guards and journalists should find a solution on how to ensure information about the situation on the border.

As reported, since August 10, 770 people have been deterred from illegally crossing the border. 25 people have been allowed to cross the border based on humanitarian grounds, while 377 people have been detained for illegally crossing the border.

As reported, taking into consideration the steeply increasing numbers of illegal immigrants trying to cross into Latvia from Belarus, the government has declared a state of emergency that will run from August 11 until November 10 in the following municipalities: Ludza Region, Kraslava Region, Augsdaugava Region, and the City of Daugavpils.