New details emerge of border guard attack: Migrants tried to drag officer into Belarus

Migrants not only attacked Lithuanian border guards but also attempted to drag one officer into Belarus, according to reports from lrytas.lt. The officer managed to escape the group of foreigners.

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The head of the border guards admitted that he takes responsibility for the fact that the importance of this incident was not properly and fully assessed and the minister was not properly informed.

While initial public statements suggested no one was injured, lrytas.lt reported that one officer sustained injuries and is currently on sick leave. The incident occurred on July 26 in the Lazdijai district, near the border with Belarus. Four border guards were waiting in ambush after detecting a tunnel being dug.

When migrants emerged from the tunnel, some were detained and handcuffed. However, approximately 20 other migrants suddenly attacked the guards, who were forced to flee. Service weapons were not used during the confrontation. The migrants then fled back into Belarus, including those who had been handcuffed.

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This was not an ordinary incident. It was an exam for the entire VSAT system. And we have to admit that we did not pass it.

Following the incident, the head of the State Border Guard Service (VSAT) acknowledged that the importance of the event was not fully assessed and the minister was not properly informed. An internal investigation has been initiated to objectively evaluate the actions of the border guard leadership. The prosecutor's office has also expanded its preliminary investigation into illegal border crossings to clarify initial data and examine the actions of responsible VSAT officials.

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Our border protection system is seriously ill and needs to be treated as soon as possible.