Lithuania to extend entry ban for 117 Belarusian officials on Thursday

The Lithuanian Interior Ministry will extend a travel ban for 117 Belarusian citizens on Thursday after the previous restriction expired on March 24, public broadcaster LRT reports.

Interior Minister Vladislav Kondratovič will issue the order to prolong the ban, according to the ministry. Once signed, the Migration Department will add the individuals to the list of prohibited persons.

The Foreign Ministry, which proposed the extension, stated that even if the ban had temporarily lapsed, the likelihood of these individuals entering Lithuania remains “almost zero.” The listed Belarusians—identified as security personnel or officials—face enhanced border checks and would not be granted visas.

Foreign Minister Kęstutis Budrys has proposed barring the 117 individuals, including 11 already under EU sanctions, for another five years. The group was first banned in 2021 for alleged involvement in election fraud, repression of opposition figures, civil society, and media during Belarus’ 2020 presidential vote.

The Foreign Ministry confirmed it had resubmitted the restriction request after reassessing the individuals’ roles in the 2020 crackdown.