Latvia declares state of emergency in border areas over Russian mobilization

This was reported by Delfi.

To prevent possible threats to internal security, the Latvian government declared a state of emergency from September 28 to December 26 at border crossing points and in several border regions: Alūksne, Balvi, and Ludza. 

Due to the situation with illegal migration from Belarus, the Latvian government has already declared a state of emergency in the Ludza, Krāslava, Alūksne regions and Daugavpils since August 11 last year, and it has been extended several times since then and will remain in effect until November 10.

In addition, the government also decided to close the border crossing in Pededze and instructed the State Border Guard to increase control on the Latvian-Russian border and to strengthen checks on Russian citizens arriving in Latvia.

It is also reported that since September 19, 57 Russian citizens were refused entry to Latvia, while 2,475 Russian citizens entered legally.  All citizens entering are subject to strict screening and must meet the criteria for exemptions specified in the government order.

So far, 16 Russian citizens have requested asylum in Latvia. Most of them cited the fact that they do not support Russian policy or the fact of persecution as the reason, and two asked for asylum due to the mobilization announced in Russia.