Government backs proposal to remove Liubajevas as border guard chief

LRT reported that the Lithuanian government on Wednesday approved Interior Minister Martynas Katelynas’ proposal to dismiss Rustamas Liubajevas as head of the State Border Guard Service.

Speaking at the government meeting, Liubajevas thanked the government and its leaders for their trust and cooperation.

“It was a great honour to serve Lithuania and its people during this period. For the good of the homeland,” he said.

Mindaugas Sinkevičius thanked Liubajevas for his service on behalf of the government.

It remains unclear who will temporarily lead the State Border Guard Service.

Katelynas announced on Monday that Liubajevas had decided to leave his post. Some opposition politicians suggested the decision may have followed significant pressure from the interior minister.

Liubajevas wrote on the service’s Facebook page that he had decided to step down in response to doubts expressed publicly about the institution and because he felt responsible for both its successes and failures.

Liubajevas was first appointed head of the State Border Guard Service in 2019, when he was also granted the rank of general. He was appointed to a second term in 2024.

On Wednesday, military commander Raimundas Vaikšnoras said he had presented Liubajevas with an award for his contribution to strengthening Lithuania’s security.

The decision follows media reports of a confrontation between border guards and migrants who emerged from a tunnel. According to the reports, one Lithuanian officer was slapped and an attempt was allegedly made to drag another officer into Belarus, although he managed to break free.

The news portal Lrytas reported the information on Friday, citing sources. Katelynas said that if the reports were confirmed, he would no longer see a possibility for Liubajevas to remain in the post.