Lithuania and Latvia marked the sixth anniversary of the protests in Belarus
Lithuania and Latvia issued statements marking the sixth anniversary of the protests in Belarus against the results of the 2020 presidential election, which the international community did not recognize as free and democratic.
Both countries highlighted the ongoing repression by Alexander Lukashenko’s regime. The respective statements were released by the foreign ministries of Latvia and Lithuania.
The Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs recalled that on August 9, 2020, Belarusians took to the streets in mass protests after Alexander Lukashenko was declared the winner of the election. Over the past six years, the ministry noted, the regime has continued its repressive policies.
“The number of political prisoners continues to grow, and even more people are being arbitrarily detained on charges of ‘extremism,’” the Latvian Foreign Ministry stated.
Officials in Riga also stated that Belarus has launched a hybrid campaign against its European neighbors, in particular by exploiting illegal migration. Furthermore, the country has supported Russia in the war against Ukraine.
Latvia called on the Belarusian authorities to end the repression and expressed support for the people of Belarus in their aspiration to live in a free, democratic, and sovereign state.
Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kęstutis Budrys also stated that Belarus remains deprived of freedom, and that Lukashenko’s regime supports Russian aggression against Ukraine and participates in hybrid attacks against neighboring countries.
“Lithuania stands firmly on the side of the Belarusian people and their right to a free, democratic, sovereign, and independent Belarus,” Budrys emphasized.
Source: European Truth.
As a reminder, Lithuania is considering the possibility of purchasing air defense systems from South Korea.
Since the beginning of the year, Lithuanian border guards have discovered 12 underground tunnels near the border with Belarus, which migrants used to try to enter the country. The tunnels on Lithuanian territory were up to 25 meters long, according to Deutsche Welle, citing the Lithuanian State Border Guard Service.
