 "Lithuania declares state of emergency over smuggler balloons, Belarus calls concerns 'exaggerated'")
Lithuania on Tuesday declared a state of emergency and requested parliamentary approval to deploy military support for police and border guards, following repeated disruptions to air traffic caused by smuggler balloons from Belarus.
Vilnius airport has been forced to close multiple times in recent months due to the weather balloons, which Lithuanian authorities say are being used by smugglers to transport cigarettes.
Lithuania has described the incidents as a “hybrid attack” orchestrated by Belarus, a close ally of Russia.
“The state of emergency is announced not only due to civil aviation disruptions but also due to interests of national security,” Reuters quoted Interior Minister Vladislav Kondratovic as telling a government meeting broadcast live on Tuesday.
Belarus has denied any involvement with the smuggler balloons and accused Lithuania of provocations, including an alleged drone mission to drop “extremist material,” claims that Vilnius has rejected.
On Tuesday, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko dismissed Lithuania’s concerns, saying the country was exaggerating the balloon incidents and emphasising that Minsk does not seek conflict with its neighbours.
“What the Lithuanians are saying today is impossible and unrealistic,” Reuters quoted Lukashenko as saying in a speech broadcast by state-run news agency Belta.
“The issue is being exaggerated and politicised,” he said.
Powers for the army
The Lithuanian government has asked parliament to authorise the military to operate alongside police, border guards, and other security forces during the state of emergency, as well as independently, Reuters quoted Interior Minister Vladislav Kondratovic as saying.
If approved, the army would be allowed to restrict access to certain areas, stop and search vehicles, inspect individuals and their belongings, and detain those resisting or suspected of crimes.
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View AllDefence Minister Robertas Kaunas added that the military would be permitted to use force to carry out these duties. The emergency measures will remain in place until the government decides to lift them.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on December 1 that the border situation was deteriorating and described the balloon incursions as a “hybrid attack” by Belarus that was “completely unacceptable.”
History of border tensions
Lithuania also imposed a state of emergency in 2021 in the Belarus border region over what it said was a campaign by Minsk to send migrants across the border illegally.
The following year Vilnius announced a state of emergency following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, over fears that Lithuania could also become a target.
With inputs from agencies
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