Lithuanian Border Guard Commander Resigns After Migrant Attack Incident

Lithuanian Border Guard Commander Rustams Lubajevs has resigned, Interior Minister Marijus Kacevičius announced Monday, citing an incident where migrants who illegally entered from Belarus attacked Lithuanian border guards.

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Today in the afternoon, General Rustams Lubajevs personally informed me that, having considered all circumstances and not wanting to harm the reputation and prestige of the VSAT, he has decided to resign from the position of VSAT head.

Kacevičius called Lubajevs' decision responsible and stated he would submit a proposal to the government to release him from his post. The minister acknowledged Lubajevs' significant contributions during the "hybrid migration attack" instigated by Belarus, strengthening the EU's external border, and operating under geopolitical tension. "Rustam Lubajev's experience, professionalism, and ability to unite the service in these difficult times were important for our country's security," Kacevičius said.

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I respect his decision and consider it a responsible step in this situation.

The resignation follows an investigation into an incident in late July near Lazdijai. Law enforcement discovered a tunnel under the border and set up a stakeout. After apprehending several migrants and handcuffing them, approximately 20 other migrants attacked the guards. The guards fled, and the migrants, some still in handcuffs, escaped back to Belarus. The Border Guard Service initially reported the tunnel discovery but omitted details of the attack, which was later revealed by the Lithuanian portal Delfi, citing sources.

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Rustam Lubajev's experience, professionalism and ability to unite the service in these difficult times were important for our country's security.

Lubajevs had repeatedly denied that an attack occurred, stating the service could not confirm such a fact. Following the public disclosure of the incident, Kacevičius initiated a service check into the Border Guard Service's leadership. Reports also emerged that one guard was lightly injured during the incident and that Lubajevs allegedly instructed guards on how to report the event. Kacevičius emphasized the need for "complete trust" from employees, the public, and political leadership, stating that the leader's responsibility covers timely, accurate, and comprehensive information, as well as the circumstances of the incident itself.

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After the incident on the border, serious questions arose not only about whether the information was provided in a timely, accurate and exhaustive manner, but also about the circumstances of the incident itself. The leader's responsibility covers both these aspects.