Lithuanian Border Chief Resigns Amid Incident Reports

Rustam Liubajev, the chief of Lithuania's State Border Guard Service (VSAT), has resigned following media reports of a serious border incident involving migrants. The resignation comes after allegations of a scuffle and an attempt to pull a Lithuanian officer into Belarus.

Interior Minister Agne Bilotaite stated she was not privy to the specific details or timeline of how Liubajev was informed about the incident. "The State Border Guard Service belongs to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, they have a duty to inform the minister. During my premiership, we have certainly had more than one meeting with generals in a secret room, within the framework of the National Security Commission (NSK). We have discussed more than one situation," Bilotaite told journalists in Parliament.

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The State Border Guard Service belongs to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, they have a duty to inform the minister. During my premiership, we have certainly had more than one meeting with generals in a secret room, within the framework of the National Security Commission (NSK). We have discussed more than one situation.

Media reports, citing sources, detailed a confrontation between border guards and migrants emerging from a tunnel. The reports alleged that one Lithuanian officer was beaten and that there was an attempt to drag him into Belarusian territory, from which he managed to escape.

Minister Katelynas had previously stated that if the reports were confirmed, he would see no possibility for Liubajev to continue in his position. Liubajev's resignation was announced on Monday afternoon. Some opposition representatives suggest that Liubajev's decision to step down may have been influenced by significant pressure from the interior minister. Liubajev is proposed to be dismissed starting Wednesday.

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As for this specific situation – I really cannot comment, because I do not know the circumstances, nor when and how he was supposed to inform.