Because of the growing illegal immigration pressure coming from Belarus, Latvia’s Ministry of the Interior has prepared an act that provides for the closure of Silene checkpoint on the border with this country.
Over the course of the past six days State Border Guard officials recorded a total of 894 attempts to illegally cross the Latvian-Belarusian border. The volume of illegal immigration pressure has tripled over a short period of time.
To provide people with a real option to enter the country and submit asylum requests, only one border checkpoint will be closed – Silene checkpoint.
Additionally, to avoid impacting cargo transports, as well essential travel for purposes of work, humanitarian considerations, Pāternieki border checkpoint will remain open.
625 persons enter and 605 persons leave Latvia using Silene checkpoint daily. An average of 87 cargo vehicles enter and 85 vehicles leave every day.
Closure of Silene checkpoint will contribute the relocation of resources to the “green” border.
“At the same time, it is believed that reduction of the number of people who cross the Latvian-Belarusian border will help reduce risks. It should be said that the fact that Belarus openly supports the war against Ukraine is considered an additional risk and potential motivation for Belarus to continue efforts to destabilise the situation on the border shared with Latvia,” as the ministry notes in the annotation to the act.
Currently there are two legal border checkpoints located on connecting roads. There is one more on the connecting railway. Three border checkpoints remain closed because of the aggressive efforts by Belarus in sending illegal immigrants to Latvia.
Because of the increasing illegal immigration pressure, multiple regions bordering Belarus were switched to high alert until the 10th of February 2024. This status replaced the previously declared and extended state of emergency.
Because of the growing tension on the Latvian-Belarusian border, the State Border Guard mobilised additional border guards to reinforce control. The State Border Guard also requested additional support from National Armed Forces and State Police.
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