Latvia’s State Border Guard is not always able to intercept all migrants who cross the Latvia–Belarus border illegally, State Border Guard Chief Guntis Pujāts admitted in an interview with TV3’s programme 900 sekundes.
He explained that border guards are almost always able to detect where the border has been crossed illegally, as the existing infrastructure and technical equipment allow them to identify the location of the breach. However, the decisive factor is whether border guards can respond quickly enough to intercept all offenders.
Pujāts said that three or four illegal border crossings can occur simultaneously within a single border surveillance sector. In such cases, it is not always possible to apprehend everyone involved.
“It is difficult to count those who disappear after crossing the border illegally,” Pujāts said. He acknowledged that some groups have managed to evade capture. In certain cases, authorities have also failed to detain the people transporting the migrants.
At the same time, some of those who cross the border illegally are detained later during pursuit operations or along possible migration routes. Pujāts described this approach as “fairly successful” so far.
The Border Guard chief also noted that pressure on Latvia’s eastern border has been greater this year than in previous years, leaving border guards with no shortage of work.
According to Pujāts, migrant transporters are recruited through social media platforms with promises of what is presented as risk-free work. However, he stressed that Latvia’s legal framework allows courts to impose prison sentences of up to six years for such offences.
Pujāts also warned that illegal border crossers are becoming increasingly aggressive. According to him, border guards have been pelted with stones, and migrants are being trained to behave aggressively.
As previously reported, a total of 7,018 people have been prevented from illegally crossing Latvia’s border so far this year.
The Latvian government has extended the enhanced border security regime along the Belarus border until 31 December this year due to the continued high level of irregular migration orchestrated from Belarus. The enhanced security measures remain in force in Ludza and the surrounding municipality, Krāslava and its municipality, Augšdaugava Municipality, Daugavpils and Kaunata Parish in Rēzekne Municipality.
Last year, Latvia’s State Border Guard prevented 12,046 attempts to cross the Belarus–Latvia border illegally. On humanitarian grounds, 31 migrants were allowed to enter the country. In 2024, authorities prevented 5,388 illegal border crossings, while 26 people were admitted to Latvia on humanitarian grounds.
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