Tunnel dug by migrants has been discovered on Latvian-Belarusian border

RIGA - At midnight on Tuesday, a tunnel dug by migrants was discovered for the first time in the Silene Border Guard Unit’s sector along the Latvian-Belarusian border, Interior Minister Janis Dombrava (NA) told reporters on Monday.

The minister noted that a group of migrants was discovered through close cooperation between the State Border Guard, the National Armed Forces (NBS), and the State Police. "While trying to trace more precisely how they entered our country, this hidden tunnel was discovered, which is, for now, the first tunnel of its kind in Latvia," said Dombrava.

The minister noted that he will assess what preventive measures need to be implemented. He said he had instructed the state secretary to explore the possibility of conducting ground scans along Latvia’s external land border, as well as other measures, to determine whether this is the only tunnel of its kind, or if there are others.

As the Strategic Development and Public Relations Division of the State Border Guard’s Main Administration informed LETA, on Monday, August 10, in Skrudaliena parish, Augsdaugava municipality, border guards detected 15 individuals who had illegally crossed the state border through an underground tunnel dug from Belarus.

State Border Guard officials, in cooperation with State Police officers, a Lithuanian Border Guard dog handler, and a rapid response unit, carried out operational measures and verified the information received, identified 15 individuals who had illegally crossed the state border.

While continuing to inspect the scene and investigating the circumstances of the individuals’ illegal border crossing, border guards in the area under the jurisdiction of the Silene Border Guard Unit, 10 meters from the fence, discovered an underground passage. The State Border Guard noted that border guards had already received operational intelligence regarding the construction of a tunnel in this area of responsibility.

As the State Border Guard pointed out, this is the first instance in which a tunnel has been used to illegally cross the state border into Latvia. No signs of violations had previously been detected at this specific location, and no individuals who had illegally crossed the state border had been detained there.

Fifteen individuals were prevented from illegally crossing the state border in accordance with Article 4 of the State Border Guard Law and were returned to their country of origin.

As reported, in early August, Lithuanian border guards discovered the third such underground tunnel near the village of Latezeris in the Druskininkai municipality, which is believed to be intended for illegal migration from Belarus, the State Border Guard Service announced on August 5.

The tunnel was discovered after border guards, in cooperation with Polish border guard specialists and using specialized equipment, inspected potential excavation sites. The underground passage was dug approximately 1.5 meters deep beneath the physical barrier at the border and reinforced with logs and planks.

This was the third tunnel discovered by Varena border guards along the border with Belarus in recent weeks. This year, the Lithuanian State Border Guard has recorded a total of 12 attempts to enter Lithuania by digging underground.

It was also reported that operation Vilkaitis (Werewolf) began today in Latvia, during which all relevant agencies will carry out coordinated actions to curb illegal migration, Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs (United List) told members of the press today.

Last week, following a government meeting, the prime minister told reporters that significant preventive measures would be taken in August by the interior and defense ministries to minimize the flow of illegal migrants at the border, which also serves as the European Union (EU)’s external border.

The prime minister also emphasized that, to maintain national security, the government is considering all possible options for addressing the problem of illegal migration.

As Kulbergs explained, this means that closing the Paternieki border crossing on the Latvian-Belarusian border is one of the options, although "we are not confirming this at this time, since the flow of illegal migration is not at that specific border crossing point but outside of it".

When asked to what extent economic considerations influence the decision not to close the Paternieki checkpoint yet, the prime minister replied that security is the primary concern.

Interior Minister Janis Dombrava (National Alliance) also confirmed that an agreement had been reached on even closer cooperation with the Ministry of Defense and the National Armed Forces (NBS) to prevent attempts of illegal border crossing.

"We are also evaluating various other options for how we can act to reduce this number of illegal migrants to zero," the minister said.

The Ministry of Defense added to LETA that several military exercises are planned for August and September in Selija and Latgale. NATO allies will also participate in these exercises, but at the same time, the organization of the exercises is not directly related to combating illegal migration.

In Latvia, an enhanced border security regime is in effect along the border with Belarus until the end of the year, implemented in response to increased pressure from illegal migration originating in Belarus.