Border tunnel probe continues after guard chief’s resignation

Lithuanian law enforcement is still investigating a summer incident involving a tunnel dug near the border for migrant smuggling, LRT reported. The incident became public before then-State Border Guard Service (VSAT) chief Rustamas Liubajevas resigned.

The investigation, opened on July 27 over an alleged illegal crossing of the state border in the Kapčiamiestis border post’s operational area, was later expanded and reclassified. Prosecutors said it is now examining alleged preparations to illegally transport people across the border, including the digging of the tunnel. No one has been formally notified of suspicion, Kaunas Regional Prosecutor’s Office spokeswoman Agnė Pociūtė told the ELTA news agency.

Prosecutors have also expanded the inquiry to check publicly reported information about the actions of VSAT officers responsible for border monitoring, control and protection, and to establish whether Lithuanian officers faced resistance.

The Delfi news portal reported that on July 26, a group of migrants trying to enter Lithuania through the tunnel attacked border guards in the Lazdijai district. According to the report, officers found the tunnel and detained several people attempting to use it, after which about 20 more people emerged and attacked them. Lazdijai politician Vilma Danauskienė had earlier raised questions about the incident in a Facebook post.

Interior Minister Martynas Katelynas said at the time that he had been formally informed about the incident, but only that the digging of the tunnel had been stopped. A service investigation into VSAT leadership’s actions followed. In August, Lrytas reported, citing sources, that one officer had been beaten and an attempt had been made to drag him towards Belarus. Katelynas said Liubajevas could not remain in his post if that information were confirmed, and Liubajevas subsequently announced his resignation.

In mid-August, the Kaunas Regional Prosecutor’s Office said it had no information that a Lithuanian border guard had been injured or dragged into Belarus. It also said it had no information that officers had sustained injuries or been unable to work because of the incident.