Border guard chief says tunnel incident sparked widespread misinformation

Lithuania’s State Border Guard Service chief Rustamas Liubajevas said much of the information published about a recent border incident was inaccurate, and welcomed prosecutors’ decision to launch and expand a pre-trial investigation, LRT reported.

The incident took place in the area covered by the Kapčiamiestis border post, part of the Varėna Border Guard Unit. Liubajevas said the investigation should establish what actions were taken, how the officers acted and how border protection was organised.

According to a report by Delfi on Wednesday, four border guards set up an ambush after a tunnel was found being dug under the state border in the Lazdijai district. The officers detained several migrants and handcuffed them, but about 20 foreigners allegedly attacked the officers. The guards fled, while the migrants, including those in handcuffs, escaped to Belarus.

The State Border Guard Service announced that a tunnel had been found and that migrants had escaped, but did not disclose the alleged attack. Liubajevas has repeatedly denied that officers were attacked, saying the service had not established that such an incident occurred.

He said he had spoken to the officers and could confirm that none was injured or suffered psychological trauma. Their account, he added, differed somewhat from the version published in the media and discussed publicly.

Liubajevas urged the public to assess unverified information critically, saying such claims could discredit the border guard service and the state’s ability to ensure public order. He also said responsibility should eventually be discussed for people who intentionally or unintentionally seek to influence public opinion about the state’s security capabilities.

In his personal assessment, the officers acted correctly after evaluating the risks present at the time. He said attacks on border guards were uncommon, although migrants and smugglers frequently resisted lawful orders, sometimes requiring officers to use special equipment or physical force.

Liubajevas said attempts to cross the border through tunnels had increased, with more than 10 such cases recorded since January.

Prosecutors said on Thursday that they had expanded and reclassified the pre-trial investigation launched on July 27 over an illegal border crossing in the Kapčiamiestis border post area. Based on available information concerning about 20 people, the investigation will now examine preparation to commit a crime and illegal transportation of people across the state border.

The investigation was also expanded to verify initial data and publicly reported information about the actions of State Border Guard Service officers responsible for organising and carrying out border surveillance, control and protection.