Two Estonians Detained in Lithuania for Smuggling Sudanese Nationals

Lithuanian border guards have detained two Estonian citizens accused of illegally transporting three Sudanese nationals towards Poland. The incident occurred near the village of Giraitė in the Kaunas district, where officers stopped a Mercedes-Benz with Estonian license plates.

The driver, a 66-year-old Estonian citizen, and his 30-year-old passenger were apprehended. The three individuals in the back seat identified themselves as Sudanese citizens but possessed no documents to confirm their identities or nationalities.

Both Estonians were taken into custody pending further investigation and the determination of pre-trial detention measures. A preliminary investigation into illegal human trafficking for selfish purposes has been initiated by the Vilnius Border District of the State Border Guard Service (VSAT), with the Kaunas Regional Prosecutor's Office overseeing the case. Conviction for this offense carries a penalty of a fine or imprisonment for up to eight years.

The three Sudanese individuals were temporarily housed at a VSAT unit. Typically, undocumented migrants intercepted on routes originating from Latvia are returned to Latvian authorities after necessary procedures are completed. The Estonian-registered Mercedes-Benz is currently secured at the Vilnius Border District.