Lithuanian PM Thanks Departing Border Chief Amid Migration Incident Reports

Lithuanian Prime Minister Ingrida Šimonytė has expressed gratitude to Ričardas Liubajevas upon his departure from his role as head of the State Border Guard Service (VSAT). Šimonytė acknowledged Liubajevas's long service, particularly highlighting his leadership during a challenging period marked by previously unseen threats at Lithuania's borders. The Prime Minister stated her confidence in the professionalism of VSAT officers to continue ensuring the nation's border security, irrespective of leadership changes. Liubajevas's resignation comes in the wake of media reports detailing an incident in late July where illegal migrants allegedly attempted to pull a Lithuanian border guard into Belarus. News outlets cited sources claiming that migrants attacked border guards after emerging from a tunnel, with one officer being beaten and another nearly dragged across the border. Interior Minister Martynas Katelynas had previously indicated that if these reports were confirmed, he would see no possibility for R. Liubajevas to continue in his position. Katelynas announced Liubajevas's departure at a press conference, confirming the end of his tenure.

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I thank General R. Liubajevas for his long service. R. Liubajevas led VSAT during a difficult period when Lithuania faced unprecedented threats at its border.