web counter
LEXO PA REKLAMA!

SHKARKO APP

App Store
Google Play

Lithuania declares over 1,000 Russians and Belarusians as a national security risk

2023-08-04 15:31:04, Kosova & Bota CNA

Lithuania declares over 1,000 Russians and Belarusians as a national security

Lithuania has declared more than 1,000 citizens of Russia and Belarus living in the country a threat to national security and said it will revoke their permanent residence permits.

The decision comes after the government asked Russians and Belarusians to fill out a survey, in which there were questions about their attitudes regarding Russia's war in Ukraine and the status of Crimea, the Ukrainian peninsula annexed by Moscow in 2014.

Lithuania, a Baltic state that declared independence from the former Soviet Union more than 30 years ago, is a democracy belonging to NATO and the European Union.

It has been a strong supporter of Ukraine and has become home to many refugees fleeing oppressive government campaigns in Belarus and Russia.

The Department of Migration of Lithuania has said that it has proven that 1,164 Belarusian and Russian citizens living in Lithuania pose a risk to national security, a decision that was based on public and non-public information.

According to the announcement, the decision affects 910 Belarusians and 254 Russians.

How people answered the survey is taken into account in the decision whether to extend or cancel their residence permits.

Those whose permits will be revoked are said to be only part of the community of Russians and Belarusians living in the country.

According to the Migration Department, more than 58,000 Belarusians and 16,000 Russians currently live in Lithuania.

They are required to renew their residence permit every year, or every three years, depending on the status of the application.

Those whose permit was canceled will be able to appeal the decision in court.

The Russian and Belarusian governments have not yet commented on this decision./REL/





Lajmet e fundit nga