Lithuania to check 18 thousand Belarusians who arrived in country by 2022

This is reported by LRT.

It is noted that the Belarusians whose data is planned to be checked will have to fill out the same questionnaire as newly arrived citizens of the country. 

"We will start checking all Belarusian citizens who received residence permits on the basis of employment before the additional questionnaire was introduced,” said Evelina Gudzinskaite, head of the Migration Department.

According to her, there are about 18 thousand such Belarusians in Lithuania whose residence permits are still valid.

If negative information is found about a person, the Migration Department will contact the State Security Department (VSD).

"If a person does not answer the questionnaire, it will be interpreted against him. If the person answers, one’s answers will be assessed. If negative information is found, we will consult the VSD. If it concludes that the person is a threat to state security, the residence permit will be revoked," Gudzinskaite explained.

The newspaper reminds that starting in November 2022, Russians and Belarusians entering Lithuania are required to fill out a special questionnaire to express their opinion on Russia's war in Ukraine.

• On February 21, the Lithuanian government approved the closure of two checkpoints on the border with Belarus.