Couple fined after crossing Lithuania-Belarus border while fishing

A married couple accidentally crossed the Lithuania-Belarus state border while fishing from a boat on the Purvėnai pond in Šalčininkai district, LRT reported. Each was fined 35 euros.

The State Border Guard Service said officers from the Purvėnai border checkpoint detected the violation on Friday morning near Purvėnai village.

Border surveillance systems showed two people in a boat crossing the state border on the pond. The boat travelled about 10 metres into Belarusian territory before turning around and returning to Lithuania.

The border on the Purvėnai pond is clearly marked with buoys. The people involved were identified as a 48 year old woman and a 51 year old man from Šalčininkai district. The spouses told border guards that they had crossed the border unintentionally.

Officials opened administrative proceedings for the unintentional border crossing and imposed the minimum fines of 35 euros on both people.

The State Border Guard Service reminded people using border waters who do not intend to leave Lithuanian territory that they must be included on the list of people authorised to be in the state border protection zone, border strip and border waters.

They must also inform the nearest State Border Guard Service duty officer in advance about their departure point and time, the number and citizenship of those on board, the planned boating area and return time. They must report their return after coming back.

Border guards urged people using border waters to exercise particular caution and not cross the state border marked by buoys.